Late-night eating may raise risk of obesity and diabetes, study finds

New research from Germany has found that eating most of your daily calories later in the day may negatively affect metabolism and increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Scientists at the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), in collaboration with the German Centre for Diabetes Research, studied 46 pairs of identical and fraternal twins to investigate the relationship between meal timing, metabolism and genetic influences.

The study found that individuals who consumed the majority of their daily energy intake earlier in the day had better insulin sensitivity and lower body mass index. In contrast, those who ate more later in the day tended to have higher waist circumferences and impaired glucose metabolism, both risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Researchers also discovered that genetics play a significant role in determining when people eat. As much as 60 per cent of individual variation in eating times appeared to be influenced by genetic factors, suggesting that some people may be naturally inclined to eat later.

Professor Olga Ramich, who led the study, said: “Aligning food intake with your body’s internal clock could support better metabolic health. However, for some individuals, adjusting meal times may be difficult due to inherited preferences.”

The findings point to the potential benefits of eating earlier in the day and highlight the need for more personalised dietary recommendations. Researchers say further studies are necessary to determine whether encouraging earlier mealtimes could help prevent obesity and diabetes in the wider population.