Eating Patterns and Life Expectancy

Researchers have found a link between the timing of meals and life expectancy in adults. A study of nearly 29,000 adults in the United States revealed that people who eat most of their food in the morning or evening may be more likely to die early.

The researchers looked at data from adults aged 20 and above who participated in a national health survey between 2005 and 2018. They calculated how much energy participants consumed at different times of the day and identified four eating patterns: those who eat most in the morning, those who eat most at midday, those who eat most in the evening, and those who have a balanced diet throughout the day.

About 17% of participants had a morning-heavy eating pattern, 22% had a midday-heavy pattern, 22% had an evening-heavy pattern, and 39% had a balanced pattern. Over a period of about 7.5 years, about 7.6% of participants died.

The study found that people who eat most of their food in the morning or evening are more likely to die early, especially older adults, women, and white individuals. This association remained even after adjusting for factors such as lifestyle, diet quality, and health status.

These findings suggest that the timing of meals may play a role in dietary recommendations. A balanced eating pattern throughout the day may be beneficial for overall health and life expectancy. More research is needed to confirm these relationships and understand the underlying mechanisms.