This study investigated the interplay between chronotype, chrononutritional indices, diet quality, eating behaviors, circadian rhythm variables, and obesity indicators in university students. Specifically, in this cross-sectional study, 618 healthy students from Erciyes University completed validated questionnaires assessing chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, MEQ), Mediterranean diet adherence (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener, MEDAS), hedonic hunger (Power of Food Scale, PFS), eating awareness (Mindful Eating Inventory, MEI), and chrononutritional variables. Furthermore, associations were evaluated using ANCOVA, partial correlations, and multiple regression analyses. Results indicated that morning types demonstrated higher MEDAS and MEI scores, more frequent breakfast consumption, lower eating and social jetlag than evening types; while evening types had a shorter eating window than intermediate types (all P < .05). Moreover, greater eating jetlag was associated with longer eating windows, more frequent breakfast consumption, higher social jetlag, and shorter sleep (all P < .001). In addition, multivariable models showed that MEI scores were inversely associated with waist circumference (β = -0.104, P < .001), waist-to-hip ratio (β = -0.074, P = .013), and body mass index (β = -0.156, P < .001). Conversely, PFS scores were positively correlated with anthropometric indicators of obesity, while MEI scores were inversely associated with these measures (all P < .05). Taken together, evening chronotype, irregular meal timing, and predominantly lower eating awareness were independently linked to poorer dietary patterns, adverse eating behaviors, and increased obesity risk in young adults. Thus, promoting morning-oriented eating, regular meals, and mindful eating may improve metabolic health in this population.
