This research aimed to explore the relation of social jetlag (SJL) with perceived appetite, and hormones involved in hunger regulation in healthy subjects in free-living conditions (study registration number: ACTRN12618001182280). Eighty normally diurnally active men and women were enrolled in 4 study groups according to the presence of SJL and sleep deprivation (2 groups with SJL with or without sleep deprivations and 2 groups without SJL with or without sleep deprivation) matched 1:1:1:1 for age, gender, and body mass index. Appetite was assessed in fasting state, by measuring acylated ghrelin level and using 100 mm visual analog scales. Persons with SJL had a higher perceived appetite for pork, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and dairy products and higher acylated ghrelin levels than those without SJL. When considering the presence of sleep deprivation, subjects with SJL, with and without sleep deprivation, reported a higher perceived appetite than group with sleep deprivation alone. They also reported later meal times for lunch and dinner, had more frequently a snack before sleep and reported eating more frequently while watching TV or playing on computer, suggesting poorer eating habits in these subjects. In conclusion, independent of sleep duration, SJL is associated with an increased appetite for caloric dense food, suggesting an increased incentive value of food in these subjects and an anticipated pleasure of ingesting these foods.
Keywords: Appetite; circadian rhythm; eating habits; ghrelin; hunger; sleep deprivation; social jetlag.