Unravelling the links between chronotype, body mass index, and self-regulatory eating behavior: preliminary insights from an urban Kolkata study

Background: In urban Kolkata, a cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the under-researched connections between chronotype, body mass index (BMI), and self-regulatory eating behavior (SREB) among 156 adults aged 18 to 60 years. As urbanization in India leads to a rise in obesity and metabolic disorders, it is essential to comprehend how circadian preferences affect eating habits and weight management. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, employing the reduced morningness-eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ) to determine chronotypes. The self-regulation of eating behavior questionnaire (SREBQ) was used to assess eating behavior. BMI was categorized into four groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to analyse the associations. Results: Result showed no significant correlation between chronotype and BMI (p=0.34). Evening chronotypes displayed lower SREB compared to morning and intermediate types; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.17). Logistic regression indicated that individuals with intermediate chronotypes had significantly greater odds of exhibiting self-regulation compared to those with evening chronotypes (OR: 7.77, p=0.005). Participants with postgraduate education showed improved SREB (p=0.037). Conclusions: Individuals with intermediate chronotypes demonstrate superior self-regulation in eating behaviors compared to those with evening chronotypes, underscoring the importance of circadian alignment in dietary practices. No direct association was established between chronotype and BMI, indicating a need for further longitudinal research to inform targeted dietary interventions.