Evaluation of the Relationship Between Night Eating Syndrome, Chronotype, and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Overweight and Obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between night eating syndrome (NES), chronotype, and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in overweight and obese adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 112 overweight or obese adults aged 18-65 years with clinically diagnosed T2DM. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, including sociodemographic and clinical information, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and 3 validated tools: the MorningnessEveningness Questionnaire, the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), and the Screening Questionnaire for Highly Processed Food Consumption. Results: Participants had a mean age of 50.55±9.35 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 33.64±5.06 kg/m²; 73.2% were obese. High UPF intake was observed in 51.8%, NES in 10.7%, and intermediate chronotype in 86.6%. BMI correlated with waist circumference (r=0.652, p< 0.001), while age correlated inversely with UPF consumption (r=-0.382, p<0.001). UPF intake was positively related to NEQ scores (r=0.290, p=0.002). In multiple regression analysis, younger age (β=-0.298, p<0.001), higher NEQ scores (β=0.230, p=0.008), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β=-0.225, p=0.009) were as- sociated higher UPF intake (R2=0.250, p<0.001). Conclusion: In adults with T2DM, NES, but not chronotype, was associated with higher UPF consumption, particularly among younger individuals with lower HDL-C levels. Incorporating NES screening into dietary counseling may support better management in this population.