Eating timing: Associations with dietary intake and metabolic health

Authors: TAETZSCH, AMY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; ROBERTS, SUSAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; BUKHARI, ASMA - Us Army Natick Center; LICHTENSTEIN, ALICE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; GILHOOLY, CHERYL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; MARTIN, EDWARD - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; KRAUSS, AMY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; HATCH-MCCHESNEY, ADRIENNE - Us Army Natick Center; DAS, SAI KRUPA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2020
Publication Date: 11/10/2020
Citation: Taetzsch, A.G., Roberts, S., Bukhari, A., Lichtenstein, A.H., Gilhooly, C., Martin, E., Krauss, A.J., Hatch-Mcchesney, A., Das, S. 2020. Eating timing: Associations with dietary intake and metabolic health. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.10.001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.10.001

Interpretive Summary: Emerging research suggests that eating timing may impact dietary intake and metabolic health. However, studies to date have not examined the association of multiple measures of eating timing with dietary intake and metabolic health in adults with overweight or obesity. In this study, we analyzed baseline data in 229 women with overweight or obesity; all participants were dependents of active duty or retired military personnel and enrolled in a weight loss and maintenance research study. We investigated how various aspects of eating timing are associated with dietary intake (dietary composition, diet quality, and eating frequency) and metabolic health (body composition and cardiometabolic risk). We examined four eating timing variables: daily eating interval (the time between one's first and last meal/snack); time-restricted eating (a daily eating interval 11 hours or less); early energy eaters (eating 60% or more daily calories during the first half one's waking hours); and bedtime eaters (eating within two hours of bed). While we found no link between eating timing and cardiometabolic health, we found that a shorter daily eating interval, time-restricted eating, and not eating within two hours of bed were associated with lower energy intake, glycemic load, and eating frequency. A shorter daily eating interval also was associated with a smaller waist circumference. These results suggest that behavioral interventions that incorporate adjustments to eating timing could improve dietary intake and body composition in women with excess weight.

Technical Abstract: Background Emerging research indicates that eating timing may influence dietary intake and metabolic health. However, studies to date have not examined the association of multiple measures of eating timing with both dietary intake and metabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity. Objective To examine the association of multiple measures of eating timing with dietary intake (ie, dietary composition, diet quality, and eating frequency) and metabolic health (ie, body composition and cardiometabolic risk). Design This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a weight loss and maintenance intervention collected from May 2015 to January 2018. Participants/setting Participants were women with overweight or obesity who were dependents of active duty and retired military personnel (N = 229; mean +/- standard error, BMI = 34.7 +/- 0.4 kg/m2, age = 40.9 +/- 0.7 years). The study was conducted at military installations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Colorado, and Kentucky. Main outcome measures Eating timing variables examined included daily eating interval (time between first and last eating occasion), time-restricted eating (<= 11 hours daily eating interval), early energy eaters (eating >= 60% of energy during the first half of time awake), and bedtime eaters (eating within 2 hours of bedtime). Statistical analysis The main analysis was limited to those reporting plausible energy intake (64% of total sample [n = 146]). Linear, quantile, or logistic regression models were used to determine the association of eating timing with measures of dietary intake and metabolic health. Results In individuals reporting plausible energy intake, each additional 1 hour in daily eating interval was associated with 53 kcal higher energy intake, higher glycemic load, eating frequency, and waist circumference (P < 0.05 for all). Significant associations were observed for: time-restricted eating and a lower energy intake, glycemic load, and eating frequency; early energy eating and higher carbohydrate intake; bedtime eating and a higher energy intake, glycemic load, and eating frequency. Conclusions These findings lend support for the mechanistic targeting of eating timing in behavioral interventions aimed at improving dietary intake and body composition.