Investigating preschool-aged chronotype and social jetlag as predictors of early adolescent diet and BMI z-score: an eight-year follow-up from the DAGIS study.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Circadian health plays an important role in overall well-being. The objective of this study was to examine whether potential indicators of circadian disruption, such as exhibiting a later chronotype or greater social jetlag, in preschool-age could predict dietary habits or BMI z-scores in an eight-year follow-up.

Subjects/methods: Our data included 210 children who participated in the DAGIS Survey in 2015-2016 (baseline, mean [SD] age: 4.69 [0.89] years) and DAGIS Next in 2023 (follow-up, age: 12.03 [0.90] years). Chronotype and social jetlag were calculated from baseline sleep measures assessed from 7-day actigraphy. Diet was assessed at follow-up with a Food Frequency Questionnaire, which evaluated the weekly consumption frequency of (1) fruits and vegetables and (2) sugary foods and drinks. BMI z-score based on Finnish growth references was calculated from height and weight measures from baseline and follow-up. Associations were analyzed with linear regression models.

Results: Follow-up BMI z-score was predicted by both preschool-aged chronotype (β-est: 0.22 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.42] p = 0.03) and social jetlag (β-est: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.02, 0.65], p = 0.04) after covariate adjustment. No associations were observed between preschool-aged chronotype or social jetlag and preadolescent fruit and vegetable or sugary food and drink consumption.

Conclusions: Having a later chronotype and greater social jetlag during preschool age predicted a higher preadolescent weight outcome. Obesity prevention initiatives should include efforts to reduce the risk of circadian disruption among young children, by accounting for chronotype and aiming to reduce social jetlag in interventions.