Associations Between Chronotype, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Attitude to Healthy Nutrition

Abstract

Background. Chronotype is the attitude of a subject in determining the individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythm associated with eating behaviors and health. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between chronotype, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and attitudes to healthy nutrition in Turkish adults. Methods. A survey was conducted online using online platforms. A total of 1,197 volunteers between 18-65 years of age participated in our study. Participants’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS); their healthy eating attitude and chronotype were assessed using the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN) and the Morning-Evening Questionnaire (MEQ), respectively. Results. Most of the participants were classified as those with an intermediate chronotype. More than half of evening-type participants and nearly half of intermediate-type participants had poor Mediterranean diet adherence. In addition, the percentages of individuals with morning and evening chronotypes in the very low and moderate classification ranges were similar and lower than the percentages of those with an intermediate chronotype. Linear regression analysis revealed that participants with higher MEQ values had higher ASHN and MEDAS scores and a lower body mass index as compared to those with lower MEQ values. Conclusions. Chronotype was associated with Mediterranean diet adherence and healthy eating attitude. In particular, morning-type subjects showed higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet than intermediate- and evening-type subjects.