Cited by 953Circadian rhythm and melatoninRegulation of Appetite and ObesityDietary Effects on Health

Circadian timing of food intake contributes to weight gain

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Arble, Deanna M., Bass, Joseph, Laposky, Aaron D., Vitaterna, Martha H., Turek, Fred W.·2009·Obesity

Abstract

Studies of body weight regulation have focused almost entirely on caloric intake and energy expenditure. However, a number of recent studies in animals linking energy regulation and the circadian clock at the molecular, physiological, and behavioral levels raise the possibility that the timing of food intake itself may play a significant role in weight gain. The present study focused on the role of the circadian phase of food consumption in weight gain. We provide evidence that nocturnal mice fed a high‐fat diet only during the 12‐h light phase gain significantly more weight than mice fed only during the 12‐h dark phase. A better understanding of the role of the circadian system for weight gain could have important implications for developing new therapeutic strategies for combating the obesity epidemic facing the human population today.

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Crossref · 10.1038/oby.2009.264

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  • In mouse studies, feeding animals only during the rest (light) phase results in greater weight gain compared to feeding them during the active (dark) phase.

    “In mouse studies, feeding animals only during the rest (light) phase resulted in greater weight gain compared to feeding them during the active (dark) phase (55).”

    From Meal timing and its role in obesity and associated diseases (2024) · cites this paper as [55]

  • Night eating syndrome in humans and a shift of food intake from the active phase to the rest phase in laboratory rodents have been associated with adverse metabolic consequences.

    “The night eating syndrome in humans (33,34) and a shift of food intake from the active phase to the rest phase in laboratory rodents (35,36) have been associated with adverse metabolic consequences.”
  • Eating at inappropriate circadian times may contribute to poorer weight management and metabolic health.

    “Recent evidence from animal trials reported that eating at inappropriate circadian times may contribute to a poorer weight management and metabolic health [6,7,8].”
  • Food consumption during habitual sleep or rest times is associated with greater risk for obesity.

    “Emerging evidence from both rodent and human studies suggests that food consumption during habitual sleep or rest times (ie, evenings in humans) is associated with greater risk for obesity (49,50)”

    From Social jetlag, chronotype, and cardiometabolic risk (2015) · cites this paper as [49]

  • In mice on a 12-h:12-h light-dark cycle fed a high-fat diet for 6 wk, exclusive feeding during the light phase led to greater weight gain than feeding during the dark phase, with no significant differences in calorie intake or activity.

    “The group fed during the light phase gained more weight, despite the absence of any significant differences in calorie intake or activity over the course of the experiment.”

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Authors
Arble, D. M., Bass, J., Laposky, A. D., Vitaterna, M. H., & Turek, F. W.
Affiliations
Northwestern University (US)
Corresponding author
Turek, Fred W.
Venue
Obesity
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-11
Volume
17
Issue
11
Pages
2100-2102
ISSN
  • 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
  • 1930-739X
OpenAlex
W2047324057
Cited by
953
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 67 · 2021: 76 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 68 · 2018: 68 · 2017: 63 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 62 · 2014: 66 · 2013: 61 · 2012: 42
FWCI
15.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (P01AG011412, P01 AG114212)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (T32HL007909)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
Keywords
circadian rhythm, meal timing, weight gain, high-fat diet, nocturnal feeding, light-dark cycle, circadian clock, energy regulation, mice
MeSH terms
Animals, Energy Intake, Circadian Rhythm, Dietary Fats, Eating, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Motor Activity, Obesity, Time Factors, Weight Gain, Photoperiod, Mice

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