Morningness–eveningness preference and eating disorders

Abstract The aim of this work was to attempt to clarify the relationship between eveningness preferences and eating behaviour. In a survey a sample of 270 females (146 recruited in a treatment centre for eating disorders and 124 control) was administered the reduced version of the morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQr) and the eating disorder inventory 2 (EDI-2). A significant higher percentage of evening-type in patient versus control group was observed. About 46 patients who participated in the survey were enrolled in a further prospective study. A significant regression of symptomatology as scored by EDI-2 corresponded to a significant increase in MEQr scores (i.e. shift towards morningness). We concluded that altered eating behaviours could modulate circadian preference. The results are discussed in relation to possible applications for clinical treatment.