Tag Archives: Owls

Study Reveals Night Owls Eat Less at Breakfast and More at Midnight: Key Insights on Eating Habits

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New research reveals that night owls may face a higher risk of obesity and slower metabolism due to their tendency to consume a significant portion of daily calories late at night. This study focused on women of European and Pacific descent living in New Zealand.

Research by van der Merwe et al. examined the link between chronotype and dietary habits, meal timing, body composition, and metabolic indicators in healthy women of European and Pacific descent in New Zealand. Image credit: RitaE.

Humans generally organize their sleep and wake patterns within a 24-hour cycle based on personal preferences.

These preferences are known as chronotypes, impacting not only sleep and wake times but also meal timing.

Morning people typically wake and sleep several hours earlier than night owls.

Understanding your chronotype can provide insight into your eating habits.

“Are you an early riser or a night owl? An early riser is classified as a morning chronotype, while a night owl prefers later bedtimes and wake-up times,” says Professor Roseanne Kruger from Massey University and Griffith University.

“Chronotype has significant effects on our food preferences, behaviors, and metabolic health.”

The study monitored 287 healthy women from European and Pacific Islander backgrounds in New Zealand.

Participants completed extensive questionnaires on sleep patterns, maintained a 5-day food diary, underwent body composition scans, and provided fasting blood samples for metabolic analysis.

Results showed over half the participants were classified as intermediate chronotypes, 34% as night owls, and 12% as morning owls.

The average BMI for night owls was 31.4 compared to 26.1 for morning and intermediate chronotypes.

Night owls displayed higher total body fat and a higher android-to-gynoid fat ratio, which is linked to abdominal fat accumulation.

Although total daily food intake was similar, meal timings were significantly different.

Morning types consumed most of their energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fats before 10 a.m., whereas night owls ingested more nutrients after 8 p.m.

This trend was most pronounced among night owls with higher body fat percentages.

Night owls tended to eat less in the morning but compensated by consuming more energy and fats during late-night hours.

Compared to morning types, night owls had lower intakes of various nutrients essential for a healthy diet, including fiber, vitamins A and E, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iodine.

While night owls consumed less caffeine and alcohol, their overall energy and carbohydrate intake was slightly higher.

Metabolic health assessments indicated these dietary habits were linked to poorer health outcomes.

Evening chronotypes exhibited elevated levels of triglycerides, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and leptin, alongside lower levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin.

Correlation analysis further suggested that increased energy intake during the morning was associated with higher HDL cholesterol and lower insulin and glycated hemoglobin levels.

Conversely, higher energy consumption in the evening correlated with elevated triglyceride, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin levels.

“The total energy intake was consistent across both morning and night owls,” the researchers noted.

“However, night owls ate significantly less between 3 a.m. and 9:59 a.m. but consumed more between 8 p.m. and 2:59 a.m., which was the reverse for morning owls.”

“This night-time eating pattern correlates with increased body fat percentage, abdominal fat, and elevated blood sugar and lipid levels.”

“Eating during night hours, when the body is naturally inclined to fast, contributes to food storage rather than consumption, heightening the risk of obesity and associated health issues.”

For more details, refer to the study published on July 7, 2026, in Frontiers in Nutrition.

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Karlian van der Merwe et al. 2026. Associations Between Chronotype and Dietary Intake, Meal Timing, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers. Frontiers in Nutrition 13; doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1862060.

Source: www.sci.news

Early Risers vs. Night Owls: Neuroscientific Insights into Happiness Levels

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Do you envy those early risers who bounce out of bed at dawn? Or perhaps you’re one of the fortunate ones! It’s widely believed that the early bird catches the worm, with pop culture echoing the sentiment that early risers achieve more, get more done, and generally exude positivity.

Numerous articles suggest that waking up just an hour earlier can unlock hyper-productivity akin to the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.

If you identify as a night owl, relishing late nights and cozy mornings, you might be hoping that this notion isn’t entirely accurate. However, research into “chronotypes” largely supports the stereotype of energetic morning people versus laid-back night owls. Yet, the reality is often more complex.







Keep in mind that the majority of people (approximately 60%) are not strictly larks or owls. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

Your chronotype not only dictates when you hit the hay but also affects your peak performance times. Larks generally excel in the morning, while owls thrive later in the day, providing an edge in professions with evening shifts.

Interestingly, studies show that women are more likely to be larks while men often identify as owls.

Night owls are often more extroverted – Photo credit: Getty

Age also plays a crucial role; during adolescence, many shift towards an owl chronotype, but as we age, we tend to become more lark-like.

When it comes to happiness, research reveals a correlation between being a morning person and increased life satisfaction.

For instance, a study involving medical students at Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey showed that those who preferred early rising scored higher on happiness assessments. The results showed that 26.6% of night owls reported lower happiness levels compared to just 6.7% of larks.

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Similar trends appear with older adults, indicating that being a lark is more prevalent among them. Studies link being a morning person to higher happiness levels.

Additionally, research from the University of Leipzig indicates that larks enjoy greater life satisfaction and are less vulnerable to mental health issues.

In contrast, night owls seem to be more susceptible to conditions like depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and substance abuse challenges.

Around 60% of people fall between larks and owls – Photo credit: Getty

This disparity may be partly due to the challenges that night owls face, such as less sleep or more sleep disturbances, rather than an inherent advantage to being a lark.

Potential factors enhancing the lark’s advantage include superior emotional regulation and a more positive perception of time compared to owls.

These insights prompt us to consider the origins of our lark and owl tendencies, and crucially, whether they can be altered.

Research from the University of Warwick indicates that chronotype is linked to personality traits. Morning people often score higher in conscientiousness—one of the Big Five personality traits associated with discipline and ambition. Conversely, night owls typically exhibit extraversion and openness.

The promising news is that neither personality traits nor chronotype are fixed. Both are influenced by factors beyond genetics, including home environment and daily responsibilities.

As the Warwick study suggests, this plasticity implies that “…it may be possible to intentionally adjust one’s chronotype.”

To transition into a lark, consider basic strategies such as avoiding screens in the evening, gradually shifting your bedtime earlier, and rewarding yourself with enjoyable morning activities like a warm cup of coffee or a relaxing walk.

However, preliminary findings from the University of Warsaw indicate that seasonal shifts toward increased morningness did not correlate with improved mood or life satisfaction.

This suggests that merely changing your sleep schedule might not be a quick path to happiness. You may need to adopt a comprehensive approach rather than just setting a morning alarm.

The relationship between chronotype and happiness may also flow in reverse—if you lead a fulfilling life, finding it easier to retire early at night can make it simpler to awaken as a lark each morning.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Night Owls Beware: Increased Risk of Depression Identified

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Early risers catch worms, but night owls are more susceptible to depression. A recent study suggests that individuals who prefer staying up late are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.

Research conducted by the University of Surrey reveals that this could be due to the fact that night owls often struggle with poor sleep, exhibit lower levels of mindfulness, and tend to consume more alcohol compared to early birds.

“Late chronotype, also known as ‘eveningness’ or ‘night owl,’ refers to a biological inclination to be active in the evenings and have a later sleep-wake pattern,” explained Cognitive Neuroscience Lecturer Dr. Simon Evans, who led the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “Since chronotypes have a genetic basis, being a night owl is a natural biological predisposition.”

Evans and his team surveyed 564 university students on their sleep habits, mindfulness levels, alcohol consumption, as well as their levels of depression and anxiety, which reflect tendencies towards negative thinking about situations and events.

“Late chronotypes are particularly prevalent among young adults, with up to 50% of young adults falling into this category,” noted Evans. “This is concerning as delayed chronotypes are associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and substance use.”

The study confirmed that night owls were significantly more prone to developing depression than early birds and reported higher levels of anxiety.

Students with later chronotypes reported poorer sleep quality compared to early risers, which researchers attributed to “social jet lag.”

“Being a night owl is common among young adults,” said Evans. “Given the importance of mental health in youth, work and educational schedules should accommodate night owls for improved sleep.”

Our preference for morning or evening routines is largely influenced by genetics, with younger adults more likely to prefer later schedules, while older adults tend to be early risers. – Credit: rawpixel via Getty

Furthermore, individuals with a delayed chronotype tended to consume more alcohol, a known risk factor for depression. However, the study did not find a direct association between alcohol consumption and depression among the students involved.

In fact, night owls who consumed alcohol were less likely to experience depression than non-drinkers, although most students consumed alcohol in moderation. Researchers suggest that the social connections formed during drinking may offset the negative effects.

Evans also recommended strategies for night owls to protect themselves from depression, including promoting mindfulness through practices like guided meditation, focusing on improving sleep quality, and reducing alcohol consumption.

This study was recently published in the scientific journal PLOS 1.

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About our experts:

Dr. Simon Evans is a senior lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Surrey. He obtained his PhD from the Institute of Neurology, University College London in 2011 and conducted postdoctoral training at the University of Sussex, where he used MRI techniques to study how genetic factors impact brain activity patterns and cognitive performance. Evans’ primary research interest lies in utilizing brain imaging techniques to explore cognitive changes across the lifespan.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Abyssaurid birds from the Cretaceous era might have hunted similar to present-day hawks and owls

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Paleontologists have explained three new things Enantiornithine Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation birds, two of which are new species abysauridae seed. These birds lived alongside dinosaurs 68 million years ago, and their powerful leg bones suggest they may have captured and carried off prey.

Restoration of abyssaurids (e.g. Avisaurus Darwini). Image credit: Clark others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310686.

The most diverse bird species of the Cretaceous period was a now extinct group called the enantiornithines, which were known throughout the world during this period.

However, enantiornithines and other Mesozoic birds are known primarily from Early Cretaceous deposits, with records from the Late Cretaceous being relatively sparse.

Therefore, there is a general lack of understanding of the evolutionary trends of birds towards the end of the Mesozoic Era.

The fossilized remains of three new enantiornithine birds have been discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana and date to the late Cretaceous period.

Two species were named new species. Magnusabis ekarakaensis and Avisaurus Darwiniwhile the third is an unnamed species. Avisaurus.

All of these birds were larger than the Early Cretaceous enantiornithines; Avisaurus Darwini It is estimated to weigh more than 1 kg, making it about the size of a large hawk.

“These discoveries virtually double the number of bird species known from the Hell Creek Formation and are important for a better understanding of why only some birds survived the mass extinction event. It will be.” tyrannosaurus and the abysaurid described here,” said Dr. Jingmai O'Connor, associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum.

When the team analyzed the leg bones, they found Avisaurus Hawks and owls and their relatives exhibit hawk- and owl-like proportions and adaptations, and, like some modern raptors, have powerful legs that can grasp and carry proportionately large prey. Shows muscles and legs.

“Based on clues in the leg bones, we think these birds were able to capture and transport prey, similar to modern hawks and owls,” said Dr. Alex Clark. students at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago.

“They may not have been the first raptors to evolve, but their fossils are the oldest known examples of predatory birds.”

This new species expands the known diversity of Late Cretaceous birds, confirms trends toward larger body sizes, and sheds light on how enantiornithines evolved a diversity of ecological roles over time. It's highlighted.

“Abyssaurids, the latest Cretaceous enantiornithid birds, display hindlimb features with strong ankle flexion, which contributes to the ability to carry heavy prey and similar behavior to modern raptors. “This suggests that,” the paleontologists said.

their paper Published in today's diary PLoS ONE.

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AD Clark others. 2024. New enantiornithine diversity of the Hell Creek Formation and functional morphology of avian tarsometatarsals. PLoS ONE 19 (10): e0310686;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310686

Source: www.sci.news