Obesity and food intake in children: evidence for a role of metabolic and/or behavioral daily rhythms.

Food intake was studied in 339 French children, aged 7-12 years. Daily energy consumption and distribution of intake over the waking hours estimated from dietary histories were compared in children of five corpulence categories. The categories (lean, slim, average, fat, obese) were defined on the basis of the weight/height2 index. No difference in estimated daily energy intake was observed between corpulence groups; however, the reported distribution of intake over the waking hours varied. Obese and fat children ate less at breakfast and more at dinner than leaner peers. The traditionally larger meals of the day (lunch and dinner) represented higher proportions of daily intake in fat and obese children; the energy value of breakfast and afternoon snack was inversely related to corpulence. Although these effects do not rule out hyperphagia or increased 'externality' in some overweight subjects, the results suggest a possible contribution of disturbed metabolic and/or behavioral daily cycles in the development of overweight. This hypothesis, which should be investigated further, suggests prevention strategies.