Abstract
Background
Associations between meal timing and frequency with acne are understudied in humans, despite pathophysiological hypotheses. This study aims to evaluate the association between chrononutrition and lifetime acne and severity in adults.
Methods
We analyzed data from 27,411 adults (76% females, 48 years±14y) enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009-2018), who responded to the diet and skin questionnaire in 2018, and filled at least 3 24-H dietary records (mean= 23 records ±13). Associations between timing of first and last eating episodes of the day, number of eating occasions, nighttime fasting duration (NFD), eating jetlag, and percentage of energy intake after 5PM, and the odds of lifetime acne and acne severity were evaluated using multi-adjusted logistic regression models. Associations between chrononutritional behavioral patterns, derived using principal component analysis (PCA), and the odds of lifetime acne were also explored.
Results
Lifetime acne was reported in 12,903 participants (47.1%). In fully adjusted models, a later last eating occasion (OR per 1hr-increase = 1.06[1.02-1.10]), and the number of eating occasions (non-linear association: (> 6) vs (0-3) eating occasions= 1.38[1.20-1.58]) were associated with higher odds of lifetime acne. A chrononutritional pattern reflecting a later eating window was associated with lifetime acne (OR for 1 SD increase= 1.06[1.03-1.09]), while a pattern characterized by prolonged NFD, and early last eating episode was inversely associated (0.94[0.92-0.97]). In models exploring the severity of current acne episodes, the number of eating occasions was associated with mild (1.08[1.03-1.13]), and moderate to severe acne (1.05[1.01-1.10]) compared to never acne.
Conclusions
This study suggests a potential role of time and frequency of eating in acne occurrence and severity in adults. Longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm these associations, and the underlying mechanisms.
Key messages
• Beyond the nutritional quality of meals, meal timing and frequency, particularly time of last meal, may play a role in acne occurrence.
• More largescale prospective and intervention studies are needed to better understand the links between meal timing and adult acne.