Eating timing patterns in French children and adults: the nationally representative Esteban study

Background

Modern lifestyles have shifted eating timing patterns toward late-night eating and breakfast skipping. However, no nationally representative studies have comprehensively assessed these behaviors. Therefore, we aimed to identify eating timing patterns in a representative sample of the French population.

Methods

We studied 2765 adults (mean age=46.6±0.4y) and 1251 children (mean age=11.3±0.13y) from the Esteban cross-sectional study. Eating timing metrics were derived from ≥3 non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (adults and children≥11 y) or records (children≤10 y). We conducted survey-weighted principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering to identify clusters in adults and children, and used the Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-Square tests to compare cluster characteristics.

Results

Among adults, three clusters were identified in each sex. Women in Cluster 1 (50%) had an earlier first and last eating occasion and caloric midpoint, and were more likely to be older and retired and less likely to be single (P<0.001). Cluster 2 (27%) showed a later first eating occasion and caloric midpoint, and included more students or unemployed young adults, while Cluster 3 (23%) was characterized by the latest last eating occasion (P<0.001). Patterns were similar in men. In children aged 6-10 y, Clusters 1 (48%) and 2 (32%) were defined by an earlier caloric midpoint and first eating occasion, respectively, and higher household income (P<0.01), while Cluster 3 (20%) showed the latest eating patterns and lower household income (P < 0.01). Older children (11-17 y) in Clusters 1 (28%) and 3 (13%) had the latest first and last eating occasions, respectively, while those in Cluster 2 (60%) had the earliest caloric midpoint (P<0.001).

Conclusions

This first nationally representative study of French adults and children highlights key eating timing patterns that may help inform targeted policies. Future studies studying these patterns in relation to health outcomes are needed.

Key messages

• This nationally representative study of French adults and children provides novel insights into eating timing patterns.

• Sociodemographic determinants of eating timing patterns in adults include age, marital status, and occupation.