Staying up later 'linked to eating more calories'

Data shows that those who go to bed earlier make better food choices

(Patrick Heagney/iStock)

Going to sleep after 11pm may be linked to eating food higher in calories, new figures have revealed.

Those with a healthy BMI who go to sleep between 7am and 11pm eat less than those who go to bed between 11pm and 3am, according to researchers.

More specifically, those who bedded down at around 9:30pm ate 220 fewer calories the next day that those who went to bed at 2:30am.

The data was compiled from users of a fitness tracking app which documents behaviours such as sleep as well as heart rate.

Overall, the data also showed that Jawbone users who reported being overweight or obese based on their BMIs were more likely to log eating more calories if they went to bed between 10pm and 2am.

Data analysts at the fitness app believe that sleep may make people feel less hungry, or encourage them to eat food low in calories.

Researchers made their findings by analysing data from hundreds of thousands of Jawbone UP users around the world. A user’s total hours of sleep, average bedtime, age, gender, BMI, and food entries were also considered - taking into account the fact that people can underestimate what they consume.

Early birds, who slept between 7pm and 11pm overall ate more vegetables, fruit, high-fibre carbohydrates such as oatmel, lean proteins and fats from unprocessed sources such as nuts.

Night owls, however, were more likely to drink caffeine and alcohol, refined sugars including honey, processed carbohydrates such as bread, processed meats, and saturated fats such as cheese and butter.

However, the analysts cautioned that the study reflected a link between sleep and food, but said that this may not be the cause.

It is also important to note that those who use tracking apps are more likely to be from a demographic which is already health-conscious.

The research mirrors peer-reviewed scientific studies which have shown a link between a lack of sleep and weight gain.

The findings come after a study by researchers at the University of Chicago found that getting too little sleep may trigger the same part of the brain that gives marijuana users the urge to eat, known as the munchies.

Researchers found that restricting sleep affected the chemical pathways which regulate hunger and pleasure, Reuters reported.