Differences in Body Mass Index Z-Scores Among Children and Adolescent Participants of NHANES 2003–2016 with Different Temporal Eating Patterns

Objectives To determine if body mass index z-scores (zBMI) differ among children and adolescents who reported an early temporal eating pattern when compared to those who reported other temporal eating patterns. Methods Data from children (6–12 years) and adolescents (13–19 years) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2016 were used. Children and adolescents were analyzed separately because of the phase delay in circadian rhythms experienced during adolescence. Energy intake and timing of intake was assessed using two 24-hour dietary recalls. Children (n = 2,565) and adolescents (n = 2,321) were included if they reported plausible intakes (≥500 kcals/day) with the same temporal eating patterns on both days. Temporal eating patterns were defined by the following morning and evening parameters: consumed 20% of total caloric intake before 10 AM (EAM); didn't consume 20% before 10 AM (LAM); consumed at least 80% of total caloric intake before 7 PM (EPM); didn't consume 80% before 7 PM (LPM). These parameters provided four temporal eating patterns: EAM-EPM, EAM-LPM, LAM-EPM, LAM-LPM. A covariate adjusted general linear models, adjusted for the complex sampling design, was used to compare zBMI of those participating in the different patterns. Data are reported as means ± SEM and P < 0.0125 was considered significant. Results zBMI for EAM-EPM (n = 887; 0.460 ± 0.037) children was lower when compared to LAM-LPM (n = 455; 0.641 ± 0.056; P = 0.007) children. For adolescents, zBMI for EAM-EPM (n = 445; 0.516 ± 0.048; P = 0.005), EAM-LPM (n = 172; 0.370 ± 0.089; P = 0.001), and LAM-LPM (n = 839; 0.549 ± 0.039; P = 0.011) adolescents were lower when compared to LAM-EPM (n = 1,097; 0.683 ± 0.035) adolescents. No other differences were observed. Conclusions Children between the ages of 6 and 12 who reported consuming an early eating pattern have a lower zBMI when compared to those who reported consuming a later eating pattern. Adolescents who didn't consume 20% of their total energy intake before 10 am and did consume more than 80% of their total intake before 7 pm have a greater zBMI than their peers who consistently reported consuming alternative eating patterns. Funding Sources None