The data used in the research included information on the dates of consultations and treatments, while the check-ups included measurements of weight (BMI) and waist circumference and the results of tests for blood chemistry, urine and liver function.
During the check-ups, the participants were asked about their lifestyle, including their eating and sleep habits as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption. They were also asked about their eating speed, which was categorized as fast, normal or slow. Moreover, they were quizzed about whether they did any of the following three or more times in a week-
- Eat dinner within two hours of going to sleep,
- Snack after dinner
- And skip breakfast
More than a third of participants had one check-up over six years, while under a third had two. One in five had three. The results suggested that the slow-eaters tended to be healthier and to have a healthier lifestyle than either the fast or normal speed eaters.
Around half of the total sample changed their eating speed over the course of the six years. All the aspects of eating and sleeping habits studied, as well as alcohol consumption and previous obesity-defined as a BMI of 25 kilograms per square meters were significantly associated with obesity.
Although absolute reductions in waist circumference, an indicator of a potentially harmful midriff bulge-were small, they were greater among the slow and normal speed eaters.
Snacking after dinner and eating within two hours of going to sleep three or more times a week were also strongly linked to changes in BMI. However, skipping breakfast was not.
With Inputs from PTI
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