Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of ObesityDec 10, 2023

Social jetlag linked to obesity: A combined review and analysis

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 3, 2026

Abstract

A total of 231,648 participants revealed a positive association between social jetlag and various obesity-related measures.

Social jetlag is linked to an increase in body mass index with a correlation coefficient of 0.12.
Fat mass is positively associated with social jetlag, showing a correlation coefficient of 0.10.
A fat mass index increase correlates with social jetlag, with a β of 0.14 kg/m.
Percent body fat shows a strong positive correlation with social jetlag (r: 0.37).
Waist circumference is positively associated with social jetlag (r: 0.15).
Social jetlag may increase the risk of overweight or obesity, indicated by an odds ratio of 1.20.

Simplified

Social jetlag, the weekly variation in sleep timing, is proposed to contribute to increased obesity risk, potentially because of the misalignment of behavioral cycles relative to the endogenous circadian timing system. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the association between social jetlag and adiposity-related measures using observational studies. We reviewed 477 references, of which 43 studies met inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 231,648. There was a positive association between social jetlag and body mass index (correlation coefficient [r]: 0.12; 95%CI, 0.07, 0.17; P < 0.001; I = 94.99%), fat mass (r: 0.10; 95%CI, 0.05, 0.15; P < 0.001; I = 0.00%), fat mass index (fat mass divided by height in meter squared, β: 0.14 kg/m; 95%CI, 0.05, 0.23; P < 0.001; I = 56.50%), percent of body fat (r: 0.37; 95%CI, 0.33, 0.41; P < 0.001; I = 96.17%), waist circumference (r: 0.15; 95%CI, 0.06, 0.24; P = 0.001; I = 90.83%), and the risk of having overweight/obesity (odds ratio: 1.20; 95%CI, 1.02, 1.140; P = 0.039; I = 98.25%). Social jetlag is positively and consistently associated with multiple obesity-related anthropometric measures. Further studies are needed to test causality, underlying mechanisms, and whether obesity interventions based on increasing regularity of the sleep/wake cycle can aid in the battle against the obesity pandemic. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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Competing interests

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT. F.A.J.L.S. served on the Board of Directors for the Sleep Research Society and has received consulting fees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Morehouse School of Medicine. F.A.J.L.S. interests were reviewed and managed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Partners HealthCare in accordance with their conflict-of-interest policies. F.A.J.L.S. consultancies are not related to the current work. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Social jetlag linked to obesity: A combined review and analysis

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