Night owls eat later, choose less nutritious food, carry more belly fat and show higher metabolic risk

For generations, early to bed and early to rise was seen as the blueprint for a healthy life, and any departure from it was often considered unhealthy.

Scientists, however, have discovered that whether someone is an early bird who wakes up early and starts the day with energy or a night owl who naturally stays up late and wakes up later is far more than a lifestyle choice.

This pattern reflects the body's natural preference for the timing of sleep and wake cycles within a 24-hour day. ...