Why do we have to eat dinner?
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The Importance of Eating Dinner: Physiological, Social, and Metabolic Perspectives
Physiological Needs and Routine
Eating dinner is essential for fulfilling our physiological needs and maintaining routine. Across various age groups, individuals recognize the importance of dinner for satisfying hunger and providing necessary nutrients to stay healthy. This understanding evolves from childhood to adulthood, with second-grade students onward acknowledging the need for energy and nutrition as key reasons for eating dinner1. Routine also plays a significant role, as people often eat dinner because it is a customary part of their daily schedule1.
Metabolic Effects of Dinner Timing
The timing of dinner can significantly impact metabolic health. Studies have shown that consuming dinner late in the evening can lead to adverse metabolic effects. For instance, eating a late dinner (around 22:00) can cause higher glucose levels, delayed triglyceride peaks, and reduced fatty acid oxidation during sleep, which may promote obesity if this pattern is habitual2. Additionally, late-night dinners are associated with impaired glucose tolerance, especially in individuals with the MTNR1B risk allele, which increases the risk of type-2 diabetes3. Conversely, eating dinner earlier (around 18:00) has been shown to improve 24-hour blood glucose levels and enhance lipid metabolism the following morning4.
Social and Psychological Aspects
Dinner also serves important social and psychological functions. It is a time for family members to gather, share their day, and reinforce social bonds. Family dinners are associated with healthier dietary profiles and positive food behaviors among children and adolescents, such as reduced soft drink consumption and higher self-efficacy for healthy eating6. The communal aspect of dinner helps illustrate proper social behavior and fosters a sense of togetherness, which is a foundational attribute of human society7.
Impact on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
The proportion of daily caloric intake consumed at dinner can influence the risk of developing obesity and metabolic syndrome. A study found that individuals who consume a larger portion of their daily calories at dinner are more likely to develop obesity, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) over time8. This suggests that not only the timing but also the quantity of food consumed at dinner is crucial for metabolic health.
Cultural Differences in Dinner Practices
Cultural practices around dinner can also affect dietary habits and health outcomes. For example, French families prioritize the consumption of fruits and vegetables during dinner more than American families, which is linked to lower rates of childhood obesity in France10. This highlights the importance of considering local eating models and cultural beliefs when addressing dietary behaviors and health interventions.
Conclusion
Eating dinner is vital for meeting our physiological needs, maintaining routine, and fostering social connections. However, the timing and quantity of dinner can significantly impact metabolic health, with late dinners being associated with negative metabolic outcomes. Family dinners also play a crucial role in promoting healthy eating behaviors and social cohesion. Understanding these various aspects can help inform better dietary practices and health strategies.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Why do we Eat? Children's and Adults’ Understanding of Why we Eat Different Meals
Children and adults understand eating primarily for physiological needs and desires, with routine being a secondary reason for eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and biological justifications becoming more important in middle childhood.
Non-RCTMetabolic Effects of Late Dinner in Healthy Volunteers - A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.
Late dinner induces nocturnal glucose intolerance and reduces fatty acid oxidation and mobilization, potentially promoting obesity if recurred chronically.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedLate dinner impairs glucose tolerance in MTNR1B risk allele carriers: A randomized, cross-over study.
Eating dinner earlier may improve glucose tolerance, especially in MTNR1B risk-carriers.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEating Dinner Early Improves 24-h Blood Glucose Levels and Boosts Lipid Metabolism after Breakfast the Next Day: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial
Eating dinner early (at 18:00) improves 24-hour blood glucose levels and boosts lipid metabolism after breakfast the next day compared to eating dinner late (at 21:00).
RCTVery Rigorous JournalTiming of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Effects on Obesity and Metabolic Risk
Unusual eating times can disrupt the circadian system, potentially leading to unhealthy consequences like obesity and metabolic risk.
Literature ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedAssociations between family dinner frequency and specific food behaviors among grade six, seven, and eight students from Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Higher family dinner frequency is associated with less soft drink consumption, consuming breakfast, lower body weight concerns, and higher self-efficacy for healthy eating at home and with friends.
Observational StudyHighly CitedConsuming More of Daily Caloric Intake at Dinner Predisposes to Obesity. A 6-Year Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study
Eating more of the daily caloric intake at dinner is associated with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedPSUN111 Rationale and Design of the Dinner Time 2 Trial: A Randomized, Crossover Trial to Compare the Effects of Delayed Eating vs Delayed Sleeping on Overnight Metabolism in Healthy Volunteers
Late dinner may increase metabolic risks, while early dinner and routine sleep may improve weight control and metabolic health.
RCTRigorous JournalEating fruits and vegetables. An ethnographic study of American and French family dinners
The French model for dinnertime prioritizes fruits and vegetables more than the American model, leading to lower childhood obesity rates.
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