Chronotype ontogeny related to gender

An individual's chronotype reflects how the circadian system embeds itself into the 24-h day with rhythms in physiology, cognition and behavior occurring accordingly earlier or later. In view of an increasing number of people working at unusual times and linked health and safety risks, the wide range in human chronotypes may provide opportunities to allow people to work (and sleep) at times that are in synch with their circadian physiology. We aimed at estimating the distribution of chronotypes in the US population by age and sex. Twelve years (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014) of pooled diary data from the American Time Use Survey were used to calculate chronotype based on mid-point of sleep on weekends (MSF We , n = 53,689). We observed a near-normal distribution overall and within each age group. The distribution's mean value is systematically different with age, shifting later during adolescence, showing a peak in 'lateness' at~19 years, and shifting earlier thereafter. Men are typically later chronotypes than women before 40, but earlier types after 40. The greatest differences are observed between 15 and 25 for both sexes, equaling more than 50% of the total chronotype difference across all age groups. The variability in chronotype decreases with age, but is generally higher in males than females. This is the first study to estimate the distribution and prevalence of individual chronotypes in the US population based on a large-scale, nationally representative sample. Our finding that adolescents are on average the latest chronotypes supports delaying school start times to benefit their sleep and circadian alignment. The generally wide range in chronotypes may provide opportunities for tailored work schedules by matching external and internal time, potentially decreasing long-and shortterm health and safety risks.

People differ in their sleep-wake behavior. This individual difference is conceptualized in different aspects, such as wake up times, bed times, times of peak performance, as well as in morning affect. A total of 14,987 visitors of an exhibition in the LWL State Museum of Natural History, Münster (Germany), did the survey on chronotype and gave their consent that these data can be used for a scientific study. Age groups were coded into 5-year bins. Mean age (mean ± SD) was 28.2 ± 17.5 years. There were 8075 females (54%) and 6912 males in the sample. The German version of the rMEQ (reduced Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire) was used for data collection. The data showed clear age effects. Younger children are more morning oriented and become rapidly evening oriented during puberty, while the more attenuated turn towards morningness occurs from the age of 20 years. Then between the ages 25 to 30 morningness-eveningness remained rather stable. Significant gender differences existed in the reproductive age, i.e., the age groups 20 to 50 (corresponding to the age 16–50 years). In other age groups, no gender differences could be detected. Seasonal effects were also found. Chronotype score was lowest during the summer months (and more evening oriented). Based on the single item analysis of the five questions of the rMEQ, we found age group differences in all items. Gender differences occurred in all items except item 1, which deals with the preferred wake-up time. Men always scored significantly lower (i.e. more evening oriented) than women except in item 2 (tiredness after awakening). Seasonal effects were only significant in item 3, which is related to preferred bed times. People showed a later bed time preference during summer. The classification of chronotypes according to the cut-off scores provided by Adan and Almirall (1991) and by using the 20/80 percentile provided identical cut-off scores (values of 11 and below for evening types and 18 and above for morning types).

Objective: To verify the quality of sleep, chronotype, and health characteristics associated with the sleep quality of students. Methods: Descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study with 204 undergraduate nursing students (age group 18-29 years, 91.6% female). A questionnaire was used for sociodemographic and health characterization. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire were applied to verify the sleep quality and identify the chronotype, respectively. The association between health variables and sleep quality was analyzed. Results: The majority of students was identified with preference for the indifferent chronotype (56.37%) and poor sleep quality (84.31%). There was an association between being a student and working, with symptoms of poor digestion, headache, daytime sleepiness and insomnia. Conclusion: Nursing students have poor sleep quality and preference for the indifferent chronotype. Those who accumulate the study/work functions, present more symptoms of poor digestion, headache, daytime sleepiness and insomnia. ResumoObjetivo: Verificar a qualidade do sono, o cronotipo e as características de saúde associadas à qualidade de sono de estudantes. Métodos: Estudo descritivo observacional e transversal com 204 estudantes do curso de graduação em enfermagem (faixa etária de 18 à 29 anos; 91,6% sexo feminino). Foi utilizado um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica e de saúde. O questionário de Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh e o Questionário de Identificação de Indivíduos Matutinos e Vespertinos foram aplicados para a verificação da qualidade do sono e a identificação do cronotipo respectivamente. Foram analisadas a associação entre as variáveis de saúde e a qualidade do sono. Resultados: A maioria dos estudantes foi identificada com preferência de cronotipo indiferente (56,37%) e com qualidade de sono ruim (84,31%). Houve associação entre ser estudante e trabalhar com os sintomas de má digestão, cefaleia, sonolência diurna e insônia. Conclusão: Estudantes de enfermagem possuem qualidade de sono ruim e preferência de cronotipo indiferente; aqueles que, acumulam as funções estudo/trabalho, apresentam maior número se sintomas de má digestão, cefaleia, sonolência diurna e insônia.