Chronotype, gender and general health

May 6, 2016Chronobiology international

How Sleep Patterns, Gender, and Overall Health Are Related

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Abstract

Eveningness is associated with negative health outcomes and lower academic performance, particularly in women and younger individuals.

Eveningness is linked to unhealthy habits, including poor diet, smoking, and alcohol use in younger individuals, and diabetes and metabolic syndrome in adults.
Psychological issues associated with eveningness include impulsivity, anger, depression, anxiety disorders, and increased risk-taking behavior, particularly in women.
Young individuals with eveningness exhibit later bedtimes and wake-up times, irregular sleep schedules, and subjective reports of poor sleep quality.
Academic performance, including school results and motivation, is negatively impacted by eveningness, especially among younger individuals and women.
Family support is important, as excessive use of technology during night hours may disrupt the natural circadian rhythms in children.

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BACKGROUND: Light-dark alternation has always been the strongest external circadian "zeitgeber" for humans. Due to its growing technological preference, our society is quickly transforming toward a progressive "eveningness" (E), with consequences on personal circadian preference (chronotype), depending on gender as well. The aim of this study was to review the available evidence of possible relationships between chronotype and gender, with relevance on disturbances that could negatively impact general health, including daily life aspects.

METHODS: Electronic searches of the published literature were performed in the databases MEDLINE and Web of Science, by using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH), when available, or other specific keywords.

RESULTS: Results were grouped into four general areas, i.e. (a) "General and Cardiovascular Issues", (b) "Psychological and Psychopathological Issues", (c) "Sleep and Sleep-Related Issues" and (d) "School and School-Related Issues". (a) E is associated with unhealthy and dietary habits, smoking and alcohol drinking (in younger subjects) and, in adults, with diabetes and metabolic syndrome; (b) E is associated with impulsivity and anger, depression, anxiety disorders and nightmares (especially in women), risk taking behavior, use of alcohol, coffee and stimulants, psychopathology and personality traits; (c) E has been associated, especially in young subjects, with later bedtime and wake-up time, irregular sleep-wake schedule, subjective poor sleep, school performance and motivation, health-related quality of life; (d) E was associated with lowest mood and lower overall grade point average (especially for women).

CONCLUSIONS: Eveningness may impact general health, either physical or mental, sleep, school results and achievements, especially in younger age and in women. The role of family support is crucial, and parents should be deeply informed that abuse of technological devices during night hours may lead to the immature adjustment function of children's endogenous circadian pacemakers.

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Chronotype, gender and general health

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