Study of 287 Women Links Night Owls to Higher BMI as Late-Night Eating Worsens Metabolic Markers
Updated
Updated · The Canberra Times · Jul 13
Study of 287 Women Links Night Owls to Higher BMI as Late-Night Eating Worsens Metabolic Markers
3 articles · Updated · The Canberra Times · Jul 13
Summary
Data from 287 healthy women in New Zealand found evening chronotypes had higher BMI, body fat, abdominal fat, and poorer cholesterol and blood-sugar markers than morning types.
Calorie intake was similar across both groups, but timing differed: morning types ate more between 3am and 10am, while night owls consumed more energy between 8pm and 3am and snacked more densely late at night.
Researchers said the gap may reflect circadian metabolism, with the body processing food more efficiently earlier in the day than during its biological rest phase.
The authors said the findings do not prove night owls are inherently less healthy, citing limits including a small sample, only women aged 18 to 45, and relatively few early risers.
For night owls, the practical advice was to stop eating two to three hours before bed rather than trying to force a different natural sleep rhythm.