Chronotype Differences in Health Behaviors and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study Among Aged and Older Adults

Abstract

This study investigates health behaviors, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sleep among chronotypes in a community-based sample (n = 2,976). Analysis of covariance indicated evening types (E-types) had a significantly higher percentage of current smokers and more sleep-interfering behaviors compared to intermediate and morning types (M-type), and also lower physical activity and more sleep disturbance compared to M-types. E-types also had worse mental HRQOL compared to both chronotypes, and worse physical HRQOL compared to M-types. Exploratory analyses indicated E-types consumed more caffeinated beverages at night, smoked or ate heavy meals before bedtime, kept irregular sleep-wake schedules, and took more naps. Mediational analyses indicated that sleep-interfering behavior partially mediated the relationship between chronotype and sleep disturbance, and physical activity partially mediated the relationship between chronotype and mental HRQOL. E-types had more unhealthy behaviors, which may subsequently place them at higher risk for health problems.

FUNDING

This study was supported by grants from the Korean Center for Disease Control, Prevention and the Korean Ministry for Health and Welfare, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government [Grant 2010-E71001-00, 2011-E71004-00].

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Korean Center for Disease Control, Prevention and the Korean Ministry for Health and Welfare, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government [Grant 2010-E71001-00, 2011-E71004-00].