The association between chronotype, food craving and weight gain in pregnant women

Abstract

BackgroundThis cross‐sectional study investigated the association between chronotype, food craving and weight gain in pregnant women.MethodsIn total, 245 pregnant women attending the public health service in Brazil were included. Chronotype was derived from the time of mid‐sleep time on free days, with a further correction for calculated sleep debt, and higher scores on this variable indicate a tendency to eveningness. A Food Craving Questionnaire Trait and State assessment was performed, and weight gain was calculated. Generalised linear models were used to determine the association between the variables under analysis.ResultsEvening types presented higher anticipation of relief from negative states and feelings as a result of eating as a usual behaviour compared to morning (P = 0.013) and non‐evening types (P = 0.028); less intense desire to eat as a sporadic behaviour compared to morning (P = 0.012) and non‐evening types (P = 0.009); and less anticipation of positive reinforcement that may result from eating as a sporadic behaviour than non‐evening types (P = 0.022). We also found a significant association between chronotype score and anticipation of relief from negative states and feelings as a result of eating (P = 0.004); anticipation of positive reinforcement that may result from eating (P = 0.013) as a usual behaviour; weight gain during the early gestational period (P = 0.024); and intense desire to eat (P = 0.045) as a sporadic behaviour.ConclusionsWe conclude that evening chronotype was associated with the food craving trait. Pregnant women who tend to eveningness are more likely to gain weight in the early gestational period.

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“…105,106 Psychological influences are also important and some women use food to manage anxiety about their pregnancy and other negative states. 107 Although most women undertake some degree of lifestyle change in response to becoming pregnant, if not prior to conception, the availability of a teachable moment and the health professional access that can deliver it do not guarantee that women will make the right choices. For example, although the UK Department of Health set a target of reducing the prevalence of smoking in pregnancy to 6% or less by 2022, in 2020/21, around 10% of pregnant women are still smoking by the time they give birth.…”

Chronotype, circadian rhythm, and psychiatric disorders: Recent evidence and potential mechanisms

“…In addition, gender differences are evident. The association between evening chronotype and eating behavior may be influenced by differences in personal worldviews regarding time perspectives ( Guenther and Stolarski, 2019 ) or food craving traits ( Teixeira et al, 2020 ). The personality of morning chronotypes, such as conscientiousness and persistence, may protect them from unhealthy diet habits.…”

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“…The associations between various lifestyle factors including dietary practices with sleep quality among postmenopausal women have been identified. Observational studies report an association between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms including SD [63][64][65]. High intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed foods has protective effects whereas high sugar and saturated fats have adverse relationships [66••].…”