Being A Morning Person Linked To Higher Anorexia Risk, Study Finds

Topline A new study found a risk association between anorexia and early risers, further strengthening previous evidence of the link between disturbed sleep patterns and eating disorders. Freshly woken up young woman enjoying the morning sun rays. Key Facts Research led by Massachusetts General Hospital found having a morning chronotype (waking up early and going to bed early) increases the risk of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, and vice versa.

The researchers measured gene variations and found this link is due to a two way association between genes of anorexia and early rising, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open on Thursday. The study also found insomnia increased the chance of developing anorexia, though there was not a converse risk or connection between anorexia and sleep duration, daytime napping or daytime sleeping.

These findings are supported by previous research: Those with anorexia are more likely to skip breakfast and lunch rather than dinner, people with anorexia often experience early morning insomnia and morning bright light therapy—treatment to manage sleep—is less effective in anorexic patients than those with evening based eating disorders.

A separate study found participants with anorexia had more nights with no sleep (around six nights out of seven) compared to those without anorexia (zero), and spent more time awake at night than the control group. The malnutrition caused by anorexia may result in impaired brain function, including the production of hormones and chemicals associated with sleep and wakefulness, according to evidence based sleep health organization Sleep Foundation.

Crucial Quote “The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment,” Hannah Wilcox, lead author of the study and researcher at MGH, said in a statement.

Big Number 30 million. That’s how many adults in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder each year, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Key Background Anorexia is an eating disorder commonly associated with low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image and food restriction.

Those with anorexia may work out profusely, misuse laxatives or force themselves to vomit to prevent weight gain. Other symptoms of anorexia include depression, dry mouth, yellow or blotchy dry skin, poor memory, confusion, bone thinness, extreme sensitivity to cold and the loss of muscle and body fat.

Though it can affect anyone, women are three times more likely than men to develop anorexia, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Men make up 20% of all patients with anorexia, Australia based National Eating Disorders Collaboration reports . Young women are at the greatest risk: 95% of people with eating disorders are between 12 and 25, and 1 out of 100 girls between 10 and 20 have anorexia.

Anorexia is more likely to result in death than any other eating disorder, and people with anorexia are more likely to commit suicide than those without it. Tangent Although other eating disorders are associated with interruptions in the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock that affects sleep), they’re typically evening based.

Binge eating, bulimia and night eating were higher in night owls than morning people, according to a study published in Alpha Psychiatry. The reason sleep disorders affect sleep patterns may be due to nutrient consumption and food intake patterns. Further Reading Eating Disorders and Sleep (Sleep Foundation).