Late-Night Eating Increased the Risk of Asthma in Children: Study

A recent longitudinal cohort study published in the Cureus journal uncovered a significant link between shorter dinner-to-bed time and an increased risk of asthma in children. The study analyzed data from over 60,000 children born in Japan between 2001 and 2010 which highlights the potential impact of meal timing on respiratory health.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has long been associated with symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. However, this study aimed to explore its influence on other conditions, including otitis media (middle ear infections), allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Since GER can be triggered by food refluxing into the esophagus, researchers examined whether the time between dinner and bedtime plays a role in the development of these conditions.

This study categorized dinner-to-bed time into three groups as Longer dinner-to-bed time: More than 120 minutes after dinner, Shorter dinner-to-bed time: 120 minutes or less and Irregular dinner-to-bed time. Using modified Poisson regression analysis, this study assessed the risk ratios (RRs) of GER-related diseases among these groups.

The study included a total of 60,392 children, and found that those with a shorter dinner-to-bed time had a 10% higher risk of developing asthma when compared to those who waited more than two hours before sleeping (adjusted RR = 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.18). The risk was even more pronounced in children born in 2001, with an increased asthma risk of 13% (adjusted RR = 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.22).