Nighttime Noshing: Why eating late isn't great!

14 May 2023

Nighttime Noshing: Why eating late isn’t great!

Recommended for Preparatory Grades

Once upon a time, there was a group of scientists who wanted to learn about something very interesting: how eating at different times of the day could affect our bodies. They wanted to find out if there were any special reasons why eating late might make us gain weight.

They gathered a bunch of volunteers, 16 in total, who were either a little bit overweight or obese. These volunteers were in for a fun experiment! The scientists wanted to make sure everything was fair and accurate, so they made the volunteers follow a strict schedule for six days.

The Experiment

In the first experiment, the volunteers had their breakfast at 9 am, lunch at 1 pm, and dinner around 6 pm—just like most people. But in the second experiment, they had to eat their meals a few hours later. Lunch became their first meal around 1 pm, and dinner was at 9 pm! They even had supper after that!
During the experiments, the scientists took blood samples, asked questions, and measured many things. They found some fascinating results! When the volunteers ate later, they felt hungrier because a hormone called leptin, which tells us when we’re full, was lower in their bodies. It was like their tummies were saying, “Feed me more!”
But that’s not all! The scientists also discovered that when the volunteers ate later, their bodies burned calories at a slower rate. It was like their bodies were taking a lazy nap instead of working hard. And guess what? The way their bodies stored fat changed too! It was like their bodies became experts at building fat and not so good at breaking it down.
Now, you might wonder why this is important. Well, you see, being overweight or obese can lead to other health problems. So, if we can find ways to prevent obesity, we can help keep people healthier. This study suggests that simply eating our meals a few hours earlier could lower the risk of becoming obese. Isn’t that amazing?

Moral of The Experiment

Of course, there’s still more to discover. The scientists want to do bigger studies with more people, especially women. They also want to figure out if changing bedtime in relation to eating time could make a difference. It’s like solving a big puzzle!
So, my little friend, remember that eating earlier in the day can affect how our bodies balance energy and the risk of obesity. It’s a small change that could make a big difference for our health. Maybe it’s time to start having breakfast like a champion and not waiting until it’s super late for dinner!
And that’s the end of the story about the scientists and their fascinating study. Good night, sleep tight, and don’t let the late-night snacks bite!