Chronotype Differences in Health Behaviors and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study Among Aged and Older Adults

This study investigates health behaviors, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sleep among chronotypes in a community-based sample (n = 2,976). Analysis of covariance indicated evening types (E-types) had a significantly higher percentage of current smokers and more sleep-interfering behaviors compared to intermediate and morning types (M-type), and also lower physical activity and more sleep disturbance compared to M-types. E-types also had worse mental HRQOL compared to both chronotypes, and worse physical HRQOL compared to M-types. Exploratory analyses indicated E-types consumed more caffeinated beverages at night, smoked or ate heavy meals before bedtime, kept irregular sleep-wake schedules, and took more naps. Mediational analyses indicated that sleep-interfering behavior partially mediated the relationship between chronotype and sleep disturbance, and physical activity partially mediated the relationship between chronotype and mental HRQOL. E-types had more unhealthy behaviors, which may subsequently place them at higher risk for health problems.