Circadian Timing of Food Intake Contributes to Weight Gain

Authors

Deanna M. Arble, Marquette UniversityFollow
Joseph Bass, Northwestern University
Aaron D. Laposky, Northwestern University
Martha H. Vitaterna, Northwestern University
Fred W. Turek, Northwestern University

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

11-2009

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Obesity

Source ISSN

1930-7381

Abstract

Studies of body weight regulation have focused almost entirely on caloric intake and energy expenditure. However, a number of recent studies in animals linking energy regulation and the circadian clock at the molecular, physiological, and behavioral levels raise the possibility that the timing of food intake itself may play a significant role in weight gain. The present study focused on the role of the circadian phase of food consumption in weight gain. We provide evidence that nocturnal mice fed a high‐fat diet only during the 12‐h light phase gain significantly more weight than mice fed only during the 12‐h dark phase. A better understanding of the role of the circadian system for weight gain could have important implications for developing new therapeutic strategies for combating the obesity epidemic facing the human population today.

Comments

Accepted version. Obesity, Vol. 17, No. 11 (November 2009): 2100-2102. DOI. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Deanna M. Arble was affiliated with Northwestern University at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Arble, Deanna M.; Bass, Joseph; Laposky, Aaron D.; Vitaterna, Martha H.; and Turek, Fred W., "Circadian Timing of Food Intake Contributes to Weight Gain" (2009). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 649.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/649