Meal Timing, Chronotype, and Diet Quality in Adults

Samanu Soma Sahithi, Manjula Kola

Abstract: Chrononutrition, the study of when food is eaten relative to biological rhythms, has become a significant determinant of diet quality and nutritional status. This review draws on methodologies and findings from major epidemiological and cohort studies to examine how eating frequency, breakfast skipping, late-night eating, and meal irregularity affect diet quality, measured through Healthy Eating Index (HEI) variants, and nutrient adequacy. Regional cohorts carry the same signal for circadian misalignment. Late midpoints, delayed first and last meals, and pronounced eating jet lag are associated with poorer diet quality and a shift toward energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods among adults, where misalignment is sharpest. Behavioural work suggests the mechanism is cognitive rather than emotional or uncontrolled eating. These associations are not equally strong across studies; however, they depend on how diet was assessed, whether by questionnaire or weighed food, and how energy misreporting was handled statistically. The evidence supports incorporating temporal meal patterns and chrono-nutritional behaviour into dietary guidelines, both to protect metabolic health and to prevent chronic nutrient inadequacy.

Keywords: chrono-nutrition; chronotype; meal timing; diet quality; circadian misalignment; adults

How to Cite?: Samanu Soma Sahithi, Manjula Kola, "Meal Timing, Chronotype, and Diet Quality in Adults", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1274-1278, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26920100038, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26920100038

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