The influence of chronotype on the body mass index of U.S. college students

Apr 4, 2022Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Body mass index linked to sleep-wake patterns in U.S. college students

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Abstract

College students had a mean of 24.7 kg/m².

A significant correlation exists between and BMI (r=-.11, p=.03).
BMI also shows a significant correlation with age (r=.12, p=.02).
The rate of BMI increase with age varies by chronotype, with later chronotypes experiencing a faster increase (β=.81-.005 / MEQ, p=.005).
Black female students exhibited significantly higher BMI values (p<.01), although this finding may not account for differences in body composition.

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OBJECTIVES: The relationship between a college student's and (BMI) is important to understand for university decision makers who want to build healthy and inclusive academic communities. This study aimed to evaluate how a student's chronotype influences their BMI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants were college students from Oral Roberts University (n=384) with a mean age of 18.94 years, a mean BMI of 24.7kg/m, and a mean morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) score of 47.65. 2

RESULTS: BMI values were significantly correlated with both chronotype (r=-.11, β=-.09, p=.03) and age (r=.12, β=.53, p=.02). The rate at which BMI increased with age depended upon the student's chronotype (β=.81-.005 / MEQ, p=.005). The later the chronotype, the higher the rate of increase. Race had no significant influence on MEQ or BMI values except in the case of students who identified as Black and female. These students were found, on average, to have significantly higher BMI values (p<.01).

CONCLUSION: For college students, BMI tends to increase over time and at a rate that is dependent upon chronotype. The later the chronotype, the faster the rate at which BMI increases. BMI values were found to be significantly higher for Black females. However, this result is potentially spurious, as BMI does not take into account differences in body composition between genders and race/ethnicity groups.

Key numbers

r=-.11

Correlation Coefficient for and

Statistical significance at p=.03.

β=.81-.005 / MEQ

Rate of Increase by

Statistical significance at p=.005.

p<.01

Higher for Black Female Students

Comparison to other racial groups.

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The influence of chronotype on the body mass index of U.S. college students

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