Dados do Trabalho

Título

A higher eating time was positively associated with habitual energy intake in sedentary adults

Introdução

Recent studies have shown that the available period for eating is a positive predictor of habitual energy intake, which may lead to weight gain and obesity.

Objetivo

To verify if the time available to eat, social jetlag, and sleep efficiency are associated with higher habitual energy intake in sedentary adults.

Métodos

This is a cross-sectional study whose data collection occurred in a school-related hospital in São Paulo/Brazil from April to September 2021. The average calories evaluated the habitual energy intake from two 24-hour food recalls (R24h). The time available to eat was determined by the average time between the first and last meals in the two R24h. Sleep efficiency was assessed using the Pittsburgh questionnaire. Social jetlag was established by the difference in hours of sleep and wakefulness on free and working days, acquired from a sleep diary of 14 consecutive days. A multiple linear regression model was elaborated from the hypotheses established a priori. The variables were inserted into the statistical model based on biological plausibility, p-value < 0.20, multicollinearity, tolerance, Akaike information criterion, and r2. The habitual energy intake was the dependent variable, while the time available to eat, social jetlag, and sleep efficiency were independent variables. Age, sex, and socioeconomic level are co-variables. The Research Ethics Committee approved the work of the University (nº#0910/2020).

Resultados

The sample size calculation was performed a posteriori, resulting in a sampling power of 0.91. Forty-two participants (22 men and 20 women; 34.5 +- 12.5 years old; BMI 25.6 +- 5.21 kg/m2) composed the sample. The linear regression model explained 40% habitual energy intake variability (R2= 0.40; p < 0.021). Time to eat (B = 101.91 kcal; p = 0.018) was positively associated with habitual energy intake. However, social jetlag (B = -87.86 kcal; p = 0.374) and sleep efficiency (B = -4.54 kcal; p = 0.60) were not significantly associated with habitual energy intake.

Conclusões

It can be concluded that there is an association between a longer feeding period and higher habitual energy intake. Therefore, considering a dietary strategy that limits this daily food window may be interesting in the context of obesity.

Palavras -chave

Energy intake; Eating period; Social jetlag; Sleep.