The timing of meals influences the obesity rate

Different cultures have different dietary patterns. For example, almost 70 percent of Italians eat their main meal at lunchtime, while people living in England eat their main meal in the evening. This could explain, at least in part, why the obesity rate in Italy is 7.6 percent and in England 20.1 percent. Studies carried out on humans and animals show that time-restricted eating, where most of the calories consumed each day are eaten by lunchtime, reduces the risk of obesity.

British scientists surveyed 460 people about their eating habits. People who ate the least amount of calories at lunchtime had the highest body mass index (ratio of weight to height). Factors that prevented lunchtime eating included working hours, the cost of food available at lunchtime, lack of motivation, family dietary patterns and difficulties in changing habits.

Cultural factors may play a role in the cause of obesity.

(Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 75: E12, 2016)