Diet, Physical Activity, and Sleep Habits
Condition: Diet Habit
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study aims to observe if consistency in a young adult's schedule is related to health
      factors and outcomes, such as diet quality, amount of physical activity and sleep, and
      weight.
    

Detailed description: 
      During young adulthood, patterns regarding physical activity,1,2 dietary intake,3 and weight
      status4 are established that track into later life and can impact health. Social and physical
      cues also impact patterns-particularly those cues that may influence biological and
      behavioral rhythms which can influence the Circadian Timing System (CTS).5 Chronotype, the
      timing of sleep patterns, is closely tied to the CTS as it reflects sleep in relation to the
      light and dark cycle, with morning-type (MT) having a pattern that should assist with better
      entrainment (sleep better entrained to the physical cues of light/dark).6 Research has found
      that chronotype is related to several areas important to health, including diet,6-11 physical
      activity,12-14 weight regulation.15-18. As a whole, research in this area suggests that MT
      individuals are more likely to consume a healthier eating pattern, be more physically active,
      and more successfully manage their weight. However, the research in this area for young
      adults is limited.

      While there has been research regarding chronotype and diet, activity, and weight management,
      there is a paucity of research on the relationship between social cues and social rhythms,
      which also influence the CTS, and health related outcomes. Social rhythms, as measured by the
      Social Rhythm Metric (SRM), are related to chronotype, such that MT is related to a higher
      SRM.19-21 Due to the relationship between SRM and chronotype, and chronotype and diet,
      physical activity, and weight management, it would be anticipated that SRM is also related to
      these health outcomes. Specifically, it would be anticipated that more consistent social
      rhythms (higher SRM) would be related to a healthier eating pattern, greater physical
      activity, and weight management. However, this relationship has never been investigated.

      Therefore, to better understand how social rhythms, which are triggered by social cues, are
      related to health, this investigation will be assessing both chronotype and SRM and
      collecting measures on diet quality, via food records, physical activity and sleep, via
      accelerometers, and anthropometrics, via BMI. The population of interest for this study is
      specifically young adults because young adulthood is a time period when health patterns are
      established for the rest of life. This study aims to observe if consistency in a young
      adult's schedule is related to health factors and outcomes, such as diet quality, amount of
      physical activity and sleep, and weight.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Young adult between the ages of 18 and 35 years, taking classes and/or working, able to
        engage in physical activity, and having no dietary restrictions.
      
Keywords: Social Rhythm Metric; Chronotype; Young adult