(OR19-04-23) Snacking Timing and Quality Is Significantly Associated With Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes: The ZOE PREDICT Study

Objectives: Snacking accounts for 20-25% of total daily energy intake in the UK and US. Moreover, the health effects of snack quantity vs quality vs timing is unknown. This research explores the relationship between snacking habits with cardiometabolic health.

Methods: Logged dietary data, baseline characteristics and cardiometabolic markers (fasted and postprandial clinical measures) were analysed from ZOE PREDICT 1 UK participants (n=1001, NCT03479866). Self-reported snacking (eating events between main meals) quantity, quality (Snack Diet Index (SDI)) and timing were determined across 2-4 free-living days (n=854). Associations between mean snacking quantity, quality and timing with cardiometabolic markers were assessed (adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, physical activity level and main meal quality).

Results: Participants were aged (mean, SD) 46.1±11.9y, had a BMI of 25.6±4.88 kg/m² and were predominantly female (73%). Of the participants, 95% were snackers (≥1 snack/day; n=813) and had mean daily snack intakes of 2.28 snacks/d (22±15% of daily calories; 203±170 kcal). High snacking quality was associated with favourable triglyceride (fasting; β;-0.02 mmol/L, postprandial (6hiAUC); β;-400 mmol/L.s) and insulin (β;-0.15 mU/L) concentrations, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; β;-0.04) (P < 0.05 for all); whereas snack quantity was not. Four temporal daily snacking patterns, capturing the timing and frequency of snacking, were identified; 13% of participants were morning snackers (≥50% of snack energy before 12pm), 39% afternoon snackers (≥50% 12-6pm), 31% evening snackers (≥50% after 6pm) and 17% were grazers (participants with no snacking peak). Late-evening snackers, classified as individuals who snack after 9pm (32%), had unfavourable HbA1c concentrations (5.54±0.42% vs 5.46±0.28%, P< 0.001), postprandial glucose (2hiAUC; 8212±5559 vs 7321±4928 mmol/L.s, P=0.01) and postprandial triglycerides (6hiAUC 11638±8166 vs 9781±6997 mmol/L.s, P=0.01) compared to all other snackers (day-time snackers).

Conclusions: Poor quality and late night snacking are risk factors for cardiometabolic health, but high quality snacks may have health benefits. Snacking behaviour, including quality and timing of snacks, is thus a key dietary target that deserves more attention.

Funding Sources: ZOE Ltd