Late eating tied to cardiometabolic risk traits, impaired weight loss

Eating late appears to induce the development of cardiometabolic risk factors and reduce the efficacy of weight-loss interventions, suggests a study.

“Insights into the characteristics and obesogenic behaviours related to late eating may be useful in the development of future individualized and successful weight-loss interventions,” the researchers said.

A total of 3,362 adults (mean age, 41 years; 79.2 percent women; body mass index [BMI], 31.05 kg/m²) were recruited from a weight-loss programme in Spain. Their midpoint of meal intake was ascertained by calculating the midway point between breakfast and dinner times, while dietary composition was established through diet recall.

The researchers stratified participants into early (before 14:54) and late (after 14:54) eaters using the population median for the midpoint of meal intake. They also determined cardiometabolic and satiety hormonal profiles from fasting blood samples obtained prior to intervention. Weekly weight loss and barriers were assessed during the ∼19-wk programme.

Finally, the researchers used linear and logistic regression models to examine differences between late and early eaters in cardiometabolic traits, satiety hormones, obesogenic behaviours, and weight loss, adjusted for age, sex, clinic site, year of recruitment, and baseline BMI.

There were no differences in energy intake or physical activity levels between early and late eaters at baseline (p>0.05). Late eaters had higher BMI, higher concentrations of triglycerides, and lower insulin sensitivity than early eaters (p<0.05 for all) prior to intervention, as well as higher concentrations of the satiety hormone leptin in the morning (p=0.001). [Am J Clin Nutr 2021;113:154-161]

In addition, late eaters had an average 80-g lower weekly rate of weight loss (early: 585 g/week; late: 505 g/week; p=0.008), were more likely to encounter weight-loss barriers (odds ratio [OR], 1.22, 95 percent confidence interval, 1.03–1.46; p=0.025), and less likely to be motivated to lose weight (OR, 0.81, 95 percent CI, 0.66–0.99; p=0.044) than early eaters.

“Overall, our findings show that late meal timing was associated with reduced efficacy of weight-loss intervention, which is consistent with the notion that advancing the timing of meal intake may serve as a novel strategy for effective weight management,” the researchers said. [Int J Obes (Lond) 2015;39:828-833; Obesity (Silver Spring) 2015;23:2053-2058; Cell 2018;27:1212-1221.e3]

The results also supported those of previous studies reporting that late food timing correlated with obesity, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic syndrome. [Appetite 2009;52:21-26; Am J Physiol - Endocrinol Metab 1992;262:E467-475; BMC Public Health 2018;18:1366; Int J Obes (Lond) 2015;39:828-833; Scientifica 2014;2014:253581]

“As expected, late eaters presented more obesogenic behaviours and other characteristics known to act as barriers for successful weight loss, likely impeding weight-loss success,” the researchers said. “Obesogenic behaviours included being prone to stress-related eating and eating at night while watching TV.” [Prev Chronic Dis 2019;16:180220]

Moreover, stress has been shown to increase weight-loss trial attrition and induce weight gain. People who are stressed are also more likely to reward themselves with palatable foods. [J Acad Nutr Diet 2016;116:1776-1784; Chronobiol Int 2014;31:64-71; Nutrition 2009;25:861-869]

“Late eaters were also more likely to be less motivated, a critical characteristic that may hamper the initiation and maintenance of any behaviour change, including maintaining a healthy diet,” the researchers said. “Thus, future weight-loss strategies designed for late eaters should target perceived weight-loss barriers through motivational interviews or cognitive behavioural therapies.” [Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2004;28:697-705; Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2006;5:102-114; Obes Rev 2011;12:709-723]