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Cited by 68Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and related disordersSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Differences in circadian patterns between rural and urban populations: an epidemiological study in countryside

Carvalho, Felipe Gutiérrez, Hidalgo, Maria Paz, Levandovski, Rosa·2014·Chronobiology International
DOI 10.3109/07420528.2013.846350
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Abstract

The physiological pattern of the sleep-wake cycle is influenced by external synchronizing agents such as light and social patterns, creating variations in each individual's preferred active and sleep periods. Because of the demands of a 24-h working society, it may be imperative for many people to adapt their sleep patterns (physiologically) to their daily activities. Therefore, we analyzed the difference in sleep patterns and chronobiological parameters between an essentially rural farming and urban small-town populations. We studied 5942 subjects (women, 67.1%, N = 3985; mean age, 44.3 ± 13.1 years), from which the chronotype, circadian sleep pattern, and period of light exposure were collected using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). A structured questionnaire was also made for collection of social and demographic information. Compared with the urban population (N = 3427, 57.7%), the rural population (N = 2515, 42.3%) presented a more predominantly early sleep pattern, as determined by the mid-sleep phase (rural: 2.26 ± 1.16; urban: 3.15 ± 1.55; t-test, p < 0.001). We also found less social jetlag (rural: 0.32; urban: 0.55; Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001) and higher light-exposure (rural: 9.55 ± 2.31; urban: 8.46 ± 2.85; t test, p < 0.001) in the rural population. Additionally, the rural population presented a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (rural: 156, 6.20%; urban: 165, 4.80%; Chi-square, p < 0.05), and a lower prevalence of metabolic diseases (rural: 143, 5.70%; urban: 225, 6.60%; Chi-square, p < 0.05). The significant difference in sleep parameters, chronotype, and light exposure between groups remained after multivariate regression analysis (r(2 )= 0.41, F = 297.19, p < 0.001, β = 1.208). In this study, there was a significant difference between the rural and urban populations in natural light exposure and sleeping patterns. Because of agricultural work schedules, rural populations spend considerable time outside that is an obligation related to work schedules. Our results emphasize the idea that latitude may not be the main factor influencing individual circadian habits. Rather, circadian physiology adapts to differences in exposure to light (natural and artificial) as well as social and work schedules.

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Authors
Carvalho, F. G., Hidalgo, M. P., & Levandovski, R.
Affiliations
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
Corresponding author
Levandovski, Rosa
ORCID
Venue
Chronobiology International
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2014-01-07
Volume
31
Issue
3
Pages
442-449
ISSN
  • 0742-0528 (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-6073
DOI
10.3109/07420528.2013.846350
OpenAlex
W2139383140
Cited by
67
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
FWCI
2.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Chronobiology International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
  • Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
circadian rhythm, chronotype, sleep patterns, urban-rural differences, social jetlag, light exposure, mental illness, metabolic disorders, Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, circadian misalignment, sleep timing, agricultural population, metabolic health
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Rural Population, Sleep, Urban Population, Work Schedule Tolerance, Epidemiologic Studies

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