Endocrine Abstracts

Epidemiological evidence suggests that timing of eating and nutrient composition of meals can predict obesity development. However, few studies have examined the association between nutrient composition of eating occasions and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. We examined the association between time-of-day and nutrient composition of eating occasions and long-term development of metabolic syndrome in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (1946 British birth cohort). The analysis included 1069 survey members who completed 5d estimated diaries at age 43 years (1989) and for whom data on metabolic syndrome at age 53 years (1999) was available. Diaries were divided into seven time slots: breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon, dinner, late evening and extras. Associations between time of day and nutrient composition of eating occasions in 1989 and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in 1999 were assessed using multivariate nutrient density logistic models after adjustment for sex, social class, smoking status, region, alcohol intake and exercise. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the Adult Treatment Panel (ATPIII8) criteria, but modified to include glycosylated haemoglobin instead of fasting glucose. 239 survey members developed the metabolic syndrome by age 53 years. Substituting 5% of energy from carbohydrate for a similar amount of energy from protein at breakfast (odds ratio = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.80–1.0; P=0.047) and mid-morning (odds ratio = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.91–0.99; P=0.027) was associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome at age 53 years. Substituting carbohydrate for fat at mid-morning was also related to lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.91–0.99; P=0.015). In conclusion, higher carbohydrate intake in the morning appears to be protective against development of metabolic syndrome. Further research is warranted to assess the clinical implications of these findings and to examine the underlying mechanism by which circadian dietary rhythms influence metabolism.

Declaration of interest: There is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Funding: No specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.