Narrative review reveals how disrupted circadian and seasonal rhythms alter metabolic homeostasis in obesity, suggesting biological timing is a crucial factor beyond energy balance.
Key Points
To synthesize recent evidence regarding the roles of central and peripheral circadian timing, seasonal rhythms, and endocrine factors in human metabolic homeostasis and obesity.
Conducted a narrative review updating a previous 2015 synthesis on biological timing systems.
Evaluated literature examining central suprachiasmatic nucleus control, peripheral clocks, environmental cues (photoperiod and temperature), and metabolic outcomes.
Circadian and seasonal rhythm disruptions are linked to insulin resistance, altered energy expenditure, increased adiposity, and endocrine dysfunction.
Biological timing governs human physiological adaptation via chronotype behaviors, seasonal hormone secretion, appetite, and thermoregulation.
Obesity development involves a multifactorial interplay between external lifestyle factors and internal clock-driven metabolic regulation.