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).

However, no significant association was found between shorter dinner-to-bed time and the development of otitis media or allergic rhinitis, indicating that GER-related effects may specifically impact respiratory conditions like asthma.

These findings reinforce the importance of meal timing in childhood health, particularly for asthma prevention. The reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus is more likely to occur when a child lies down soon after eating, which may exacerbate airway inflammation and contribute to asthma symptoms.

This study highlights the need to consider lifestyle factors, such as meal timing, in pediatric asthma cases. Encouraging children to maintain at least a two-hour gap between dinner and bedtime may serve as a simple yet effective strategy for reducing asthma risk.

Given that childhood asthma is a leading cause of hospital visits and long-term respiratory issues, these results could inform future dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms linking GER and asthma, but this study adds to growing evidence that small daily habits can significantly impact long-term health.

Source:

Uraguchi, K., Matsumoto, N., Mitsuhashi, T., Takao, S., Makihara, S., Ando, M., & Yorifuji, T. (2025). Association between dinner-to-bed time and gastroesophageal reflux-related diseases in children. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.77709