The Impact of Circadian Rhythm Alterations on Food Intake

The Circadian Rhythm, an endogenous biological system synchronized with the day-night cycle, regulates fundamental physiological and behavioural functions such as sleep, body temperature and hormonal secretion. Among these, food intake is a domain directly influenced by the proper and undisturbed function of the circadian system. The aim of this literature review is to investigate how the timing, disruption, and misalignment of the circadian clock affect dietary behaviour and metabolism, based on findings from contemporary scientific literature. In the first section, the circadian rhythm, its mechanisms, and the factors influencing it- such as age, light exposure and genetic predisposition- are analysed. The second section examines the multifaceted factors that affect food intake, ranging from biological and physiological to social aspects. The third and central part of the thesis focuses on circadian rhythm disruption and how it critically impacts dietary behaviours, the regulation of appetite-related hormones, meal timing choices, reward mechanisms, physiological states and brain responses to food cues. The reviewed studies include both experimental human and animal research, offering a multidimensional understanding of how circadian misalignment can contribute to overeating and metabolic dysregulation. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining a synchronized biological clock for nutritional balance and overall health, underlining the necessity of integrating circadian timing into interventions for the prevention of obesity and related disorders.