What Is the Difference between the Nature Eating Rhythm and the Actual Eating Behaviors in Malaysian Adults? A Cross-Sectional Study of Circadian Misalignment

OBJECTIVES: Eating behavior different from the natural eating rhythm increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. With simply adjusted eating behaviors to line up with the natural rhythms, it prevents the further development of metabolic disorder. To fill the gap in nutritional therapy in metabolic syndrome, this study aimed to determine the contrast between natural eating rhythm and actual eating behaviors in Malaysians. METHODS: The cross-sectional comprised of a total of 221 participants aged 20 to 63 years old, who completed online survey to collect their sociodemographic characteristics, eating rhythm, sleep patterns and eating behaviors. A validated chrononutrition questionnaire was used as indicator of eating rhythm and practices. Descriptive data showed the mean and standard deviation of the natural eating rhythm and actual eating behaviors in table, while the misalignment of chrononutrition was reported as frequencies on graph. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (67.0%) and graduated from university (76.5%). They were non-alcohol drinkers (96.8%) or had no smoking history (71.5%). Although the mean for the natural eating rhythm was 08:02 ± 01:26, participants tend to start their first eating occasion during free days (09:11 ± 01:26) later than during work or school days (08:08 ± 00:05). The overall mean eating occasion before bedtime was 23:30 ± 01:54, there were no difference between eating occasion before bedtime during work or school days (19:50 ± 01:10) and free days (19:59 ± 01:20). This study found that 17.6% and 13.1% of the participants had extreme morning latency misalignment during work or school days, and free days respectively. Approximately half of the participants had extreme evening latency misalignment during work or school days and free days, with 35.8% and 48.8% separately. A total mean of 701.48 ± 104.69 minutes spent eating window during work or school days and 646.67 ± 115.71 minutes used during free days. CONCLUSIONS: Malaysian adults had differed between their natural eating rhythm and actual eating practices. The results suggested to review circadian misalignment, typically eating behaviors in metabolic regulation in future studies. FUNDING SOURCES: The researchers appreciated the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia for providing a support under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2021/SKK06/TARUC/02/1).