UTHealth Houston Study Links Late-Night Eating and Sleep Habits to Increased Metabolic Disease Risk
A new study conducted by UTHealth Houston has identified a significant connection between late-night eating, sleep habits, gut health, and an elevated risk of metabolic disease. The findings, published in iScience, indicate that adults with obesity who tend to stay up and eat later in the day are more prone to exhibiting traits associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that heighten the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Faraz Bishehsari, professor and director of the Gastroenterology Research Center at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, led the research. The study analyzed circadian behaviors, including sleep and meal timing, in adults with obesity. It found that individuals with a later chronotype, or 'night owls,' had a higher number of metabolic syndrome risk factors, especially when combined with late-night eating habits. This suggests that a misalignment between the body's internal clock and daily behaviors may contribute to disea...
