Modeling circadian rhythms of food intake by means of parametric deconvolution: results from studies of the night eating syndrome

Abstract

Background: Disordered temporal eating patterns are a feature of a number of eating disorders. There is currently no standard mathematical model to quantify temporal eating patterns.

Objective: We aimed to develop a simple model by which to describe the temporal eating patterns of adult humans. For this purpose, patients with the night eating syndrome (NES) and persons without an eating disorder were assessed.

Design: Data were obtained from 2 studies, each involving patients with NES and control subjects. Data were analyzed by means of a novel equation to describe the 24-h temporal eating patterns. The equation employed the integration over time of 3 Gaussian equations to describe the cumulative daily caloric intake.

Results: The new model accurately described and quantified the temporal eating patterns of the subjects in the 2 studies. The analyses showed differences in the temporal eating patterns and in the amount of intake of normal-weight and overweight subjects with NES.

Conclusions: This novel model can be used to accurately and objectively describe and quantify temporal food intake patterns. It can also be used to establish norms for various human populations.