Background:
The ability to compensate for a high energy intake seems to be specific to age (in
adults less than in children) and day-time (in the evening less than in the morning).
Using a multiple cross-sectional analyses design, the present study therefore addressed
two hypotheses: 1) As children age, they progressively shift their energy intake from
morning (EImorning: energy intake before 11 am) to evening hours (EIevening: energy intake after 6 pm). 2) A more pronounced “eveningness in energy intake” is
associated with a higher total daily energy intake (TDEI).
Methods:
Data were analyzed from 262 DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) open-cohort study participants, who had completed at least one 3-day
weighed dietary record at ages 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16 and 17/18
years (y). For every age-group, with each including the same 262 participants, “eveningness
in energy intake” (i.e. EIevening minus EImorning) was assessed and related to TDEI.
Results:
“Eveningness in energy intake” increased progressively from age 3/4y to age 17/18y.
A median surplus of EIevening (i.e. EIevening > EImorning) was firstly observed at age 11/12y. From age 11/12y onwards, “eveningness in energy
intake” was associated with a higher TDEI (all p < 0.04 for ages 11/12y-17/18y). Differences
in TDEI were largest at age 17/18y, amounting to an 11% (or 220 kcal) higher TDEI
among adolescents in the highest tertile of “eveningness in energy intake” as compared
to those in the lowest tertile.
Conclusion:
As children age, energy intake progressively shifts from morning to evening hours.
Once evening energy intake exceeds morning energy intake, a higher “eveningness in
energy intake” is associated with higher TDEI.