Chronotype
survey: Meal
timing in
relation to sleep in early birds and night owls

Researchers at the University of Sydney
are investigating whether early birds
and night owls differ in their meal
timing and sleep habits.

What is Chronotype?

Chronotype refers to an individual’s natural preference for sleeping and waking times,
influenced by their internal biological clock. It determines whether a person is more alert
and active in the morning (morning type), in the evening (evening type), or somewhere in
between (intermediate type). Chronotype is shaped by genetics, age, and environmental
factors such as light exposure and lifestyle. It plays a significant role in sleep patterns and
metabolic health. Understanding chronotype can help optimize daily schedules, improve
sleep quality, and tailor lifestyle recommendations for better overall well-being.

The triangle of sleep, meal timing and chronotype?

Sleep, chronotype, and meal timing are closely linked and play a key role in health and
well-being. Chronotype influences when a person naturally feels awake and alert, which
affects both their sleep schedule and eating patterns. Meal timing, in turn, impacts sleep
quality and metabolism, as eating too can lead to poor sleep and metabolic disruptions.
Similarly, irregular sleep patterns can result in inconsistent meal timing, increasing the risk
of weight gain and other health issues. Understanding this relationship allows individuals
to better align their sleep and eating habits with their biological rhythms, promoting overall
health.

How to participate

Click the join the study link below, complete the short survey and a member or our team will get in touch with the next steps.

We are seeking:

Healthy adults over the age
of 18 who do not have
medical conditions or take
medications that affect sleep

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
• Do not have any sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea, insomnia, etc.)
• Can spend 30-40 minutes completing the survey including the following questionnaires: socio-demographic information, chronotype, sleep diary, meal timing and dietary intake, and physical activity.

What does this study involve?
• In this study, participants will complete a 30-40 minute long survey, including questionnaires such as sociodemographic information, chronotype, sleep diary, meal timing and dietary intake, and physical activity.
• Participants who complete the entire survey will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a gift card

Frequently asked questions

Is there any compensation for completing the survey?
Upon completing the entire survey, you will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a gift card.

Will my responses be kept confidential?
All identifiable data will be stored on the university’s password-protected platforms (Research Data System (RDS) and RedCap), accessible only to the researchers.
Only aggregated, anonymous data will be used in any publications resulting from this research.

Can I withdraw from the survey at any time?
Yes, you can withdraw from the survey at any point. However, any responses you have provided up until that stage will still be used in the study.

How will my participation help?
Your participation will contribute to a better understanding of how chronotype relate to sleep patterns, diet and health, which contributes to the growing field of personalized medicine and could inform future recommendations for improving sleep and nutrition.

 

Approvals

This study has been Approved by the University of Sydney Research Ethics Committee approval number:  2023/760

This study is conducted by the University of Sydney in collaboration with the MRC 

Text version Version 1, 7 April, 2025

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