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. 2024 Aug 24;16(8):e67678.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.67678. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Assessment of Chronotype Distribution Among University Students and Its Association With Lifestyle Characteristics and Academic Performance

Yara Ajeebi  1 , Imtenan A Oberi  1 , Manal Al-Hulaibi  2 , Bandar A Omair  1 , Ghadi F Alsum  1 , Saliha M Abukhairat  3 , Osama M Abualgasem  4 , Ibrahim M Gosadi  5
Affiliations

Assessment of Chronotype Distribution Among University Students and Its Association With Lifestyle Characteristics and Academic Performance

Yara Ajeebi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Chronotype is associated with the timing of peak physical and mental performance and activity levels. University students may experience changes in their chronotype, influencing their daytime activity and academic performance. This study aims to assess the distribution of chronotypes among a sample of university students from southern Saudi Arabia, examining its association with demographic, academic, and lifestyle factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jazan University, located in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, between February and March 2023. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire comprising three main components: demographic and academic data of participants, lifestyle characteristics, and an assessment of chronotype using the reduced version of the Horne and Östberg morningness-eveningness questionnaire. Associations between chronotype and demographic/lifestyle characteristics were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test.

Results: The study included 507 students. The mean age of the participants was 22 years (standard deviation: 2.07), with over half being male 277 (54.6%). The chronotype assessment indicated that 139 (27.4%) of students were morning types, 112 (22.1%) evening types, and 256 (50.5%) were neither type. Statistically significant variations in chronotypes were found in relation to the year of study, perceived influence of sleep habits on academic performance, meal frequency, consumption of fast food and certain caffeinated beverages, and smoking or Khat chewing habits (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that an unhealthy lifestyle and the use of certain stimulants can influence chronotypes. Students with an evening chronotype should be a focus for university health services, allowing early identification and counseling to mitigate the negative impact of a disturbed chronotype on academic performance and reduce the risk of study-related stress.

Keywords: academic performance; chronotypes; kingdom of saudi arabia (ksa); lifestyle characteristics; university students.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Standing Committee of Scientific Research of Jazan University issued approval REC-44/04/365. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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