Meal-timing patterns and chronic disease prevalence in two representative Austrian studies

Santonja, Isabel; Bogl, Leonie-Helen; Degenfellner, Jürgen; Klösch, Gerhard; Seidel, Stefan; Schernhammer, Eva; Papantoniou, Kyriaki (2023). Meal-timing patterns and chronic disease prevalence in two representative Austrian studies European journal of nutrition, 62(4), pp. 1879-1890. Springer 10.1007/s00394-023-03113-z

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PURPOSE This study aimed at describing meal-timing patterns using cluster analysis and explore their association with sleep and chronic diseases, before and during COVID-19 mitigation measures in Austria. METHODS Information was collected in two surveys in 2017 (N = 1004) and 2020 (N = 1010) in representative samples of the Austrian population. Timing of main meals, nighttime fasting interval, last-meal-to-bed time, breakfast skipping and eating midpoint were calculated using self-reported information. Cluster analysis was applied to identify meal-timing clusters. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to study the association of meal-timing clusters with prevalence of chronic insomnia, depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and self-rated bad health status. RESULTS In both surveys, median breakfast, lunch and dinner times on weekdays were 7:30, 12:30 and 18:30. One out of four participants skipped breakfast and the median number of eating occasions was 3 in both samples. We observed correlation between the different meal-timing variables. Cluster analysis resulted in the definition of two clusters in each sample (A17 and B17 in 2017, and A20 and B20 in 2020). Clusters A comprised most respondents, with fasting duration of 12-13 h and median eating midpoint between 13:00 and 13:30. Clusters B comprised participants reporting longer fasting intervals and later mealtimes, and a high proportion of breakfast skippers. Chronic insomnia, depression, obesity and self-rated bad health-status were more prevalent in clusters B. CONCLUSIONS Austrians reported long fasting intervals and low eating frequency. Meal-timing habits were similar before and during the COVID-19-pandemic. Besides individual characteristics of meal-timing, behavioural patterns need to be evaluated in chrono-nutrition epidemiological studies.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions School of Health Professions > Nutrition and Dietetics
Name:	Santonja, Isabel; Bogl, Leonie-Helen0000-0003-4316-2619; Degenfellner, Jürgen; Klösch, Gerhard; Seidel, Stefan; Schernhammer, Eva and Papantoniou, Kyriaki
ISSN:	1436-6215
Publisher:	Springer
Language:	English
Submitter:	Leonie-Helen Bogl
Date Deposited:	10 Jan 2024 10:13
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2024 10:13
Publisher DOI:	10.1007/s00394-023-03113-z
PubMed ID:	36864319
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Chrono-nutrition Cluster analysis Meal-timing Nighttime fasting Time-restricted eating
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.20878
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/20878