Chrononutrition and sleep patterns in individuals with diabetes mellitus: Assessing misalignments and social jetlag.

Abstract

The aim was to characterize the chrononutrition and sleep patterns of individuals with Diabetes mellitus (DM) and to assess misalignments and social jetlag. This cross-sectional study included individuals aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with DM. The Chrononutrition Profile Questionnaire was used to assess sleep and chrononutrition preferences and patterns on weekdays, weekends, and weekly. Weekly and weekday misalignments were calculated and presented using histograms. Differences between weekday and weekend patterns (social jetlag) were analysed using paired t-test for symmetrical variables, and the Wilcoxon test for asymmetric variables. In total, 365 individuals were studied. No significant weekly and weekday misalignments in sleep and chrononutrition were found. However, social jetlag was observed. Wake time, first eating event, eating midpoint, and sleep midpoint occurred earlier on weekdays. Lunch latency and eating window were shorter on weekends, and sleep duration was shorter on weekdays. Participants also went to sleep later on the weekends and had a longer morning latency (interval between wake-up and first eating event) on weekdays. In conclusion, interesting social jetlag was identified. These findings are relevant for understanding how sleep and chrononutrition patterns may influence the development or worsening of DM-related complications.