Investigation of the relationship of chronotype with eating attitude, night eating syndrome, adaptation to Mediterranean diet and physical activity level in adult obesity individuals

This study was conducted to examine the relationship of chronotype, which is a marker of circadian rhythm, with eating attitudes, Mediterranean diet, night eating syndrome and physical activity levels in obese individuals. The study was conducted with 337 (34 males, 303 females) obese individuals aged 18-64 years with a body mass index of 30 kg/m² and above, between June and December 2022. The sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits and anthropometric measurements of the individuals participating in the research were taken based on the statement. Horne-Östberg Morning Evening Scale (MEQ) to determine the chronotype of individuals, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ Short Form) for physical activity levels, Eating Attitude Test (YTT-26) to determine eating disorders, Mediterranean Diet Adherence for Mediterranean diet compliance Scale (MEDAS) and the Night Eating Questionnaire for the presence of night eating syndrome were used through online platforms. The mean age of the participants was 31.5±10.0 years. In the classification made according to chronotype, 15.1% (n=51) of the participants were determined as evening, 70.0% (n=236) as intermediate type, and 14.9% (n=50) as morning type. Chronotype classification according to gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Physical activity levels are independent of gender (p>0.05). According to the results of the eating attitude test, the eating attitudes of the individuals are dependent on gender (p<0.05). The presence of night eating syndrome was found to be independent of gender (p>0.05). The scores obtained from the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale were gender dependent (p<0.05). These anthropometric measurements did not show a significant difference depending on the chronotype (p>0.05). Regression analysis with chronotype and night eating syndrome was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). It is seen that a 1-unit change in the chronotype scale will decrease the score obtained from the Night Eating Syndrome Questionnaire by 0.253 units. Chronotype and night eating syndrome are statistically significant (p<0.05). It is seen that a 1-unit change in the chronotype scale will increase the score obtained from the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale by 0.043 units. The chronotype and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are statistically significant (p<0.05). It is seen that a 1-unit change in the Night Eating Syndrome Questionnaire will increase the score obtained from the eating attitude test by 0.264 units. Eating attitude test score and night eating syndrome are statistically significant. (p<0.05) There was also a statistically negative significant correlation between Chronotype and Night Eating Questionnaire (p<0.05). There is a statistically significant relationship between night eating situations and eating attitude behavior (p<0.05). As the presence of night eating syndrome increases, the risk of eating disorders in the eating attitude test increases. As a result of the study, it is seen that the chronotype of obese individuals affects the diet of individuals.