Evening chronotype is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors including meal skipping, delayed meal timings, unhealthy snacking, and lower intake of fiber and key micronutrients among Pakistani university students.
In a cross-sectional study of 345 Pakistani university students, evening chronotypes (16.5% of sample) exhibited significantly more unhealthy eating behaviors such as meal skipping, delayed meal timings, and unhealthy snacking, along with lower breakfast energy and reduced intake of fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus compared to morning chronotypes. However, no significant association was found between chronotype and overall nutritional status (BMI or anthropometric measures).
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Evening chronotype is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors including meal skipping, delayed meal timings, unhealthy snacking, and lower intake of fiber and key micronutrients among Pakistani university students. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Evening chronotype is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors including meal skipping, delayed meal timings, unhealthy snacking, and lower intake of fiber and key micronutrients among Pakistani university students.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 345 university students in Pakistan (63.2% male, 36.8% female).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effect of chronotype on nutritional status and eating behaviors among university students of Pakistan. (Chronobiology international, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Circadian preference (chronotype) influences timing and regularity of food intake
- ▸Evening types have delayed sleep-wake cycles leading to irregular meal patterns
- ▸Irregular eating leads to meal skipping, unhealthy snacking, and lower nutrient intake
- ▸Result: Evening chronotype associated with poorer dietary quality but not with altered nutritional status
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸345 university students in Pakistan (63.2% male, 36.8% female)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference between chronotype and eating behaviors
- ▸Dietary assessment via 3-day recall may be subject to recall bias and may not capture habitual intake
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chronotype?▼
Chronotype refers to an individual's natural preference for sleep and activity timing, typically categorized as morning, intermediate, or evening type.
How was chronotype measured in this study?▼
Chronotype was assessed using the Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), a validated self-report tool.
Did evening chronotype affect nutritional status?▼
No, the study found no significant association between chronotype and nutritional status (e.g., BMI or anthropometric measures).
Which nutrients were lower in evening chronotypes?▼
Evening chronotypes, particularly males, had lower intake of fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
References
- 1.Naseem A, Safdar M. “Effect of chronotype on nutritional status and eating behaviors among university students of Pakistan..” Chronobiology international, 2026. PMID: 42154633 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2026.2674039