Rest phase snacking increases energy resorption and weight gain in male mice

• Published in: Molecular metabolism (Germany) Vol. 69; p. 101691
• Main Authors: Begemann, Kimberly, Heyde, Isabel, Witt, Pia, Inderhees, Julica, Leinweber, Brinja, Koch, Christiane E., Jöhren, Olaf, Oelkrug, Rebecca, Liskiewicz, Arkadiusz, Müller, Timo D., Oster, Henrik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01.03.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight; Body weight gain; Circadian clock; Circadian Rhythm; Energy intake; Energy resorption; Light–dark cycle; Male; Mice; Obesity; Original; Snacking; Snacks; Weight Gain; Circadian clock; Light–dark cycle; Energy intake; Energy resorption; Body weight gain; Snacking
• ISSN: 2212-8778; 2212-8778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101691

Snacking, i.e., the intake of small amounts of palatable food items, is a common behavior in modern societies, promoting overeating and obesity. Shifting food intake into the daily rest phase disrupts circadian rhythms and is also known to stimulate weight gain. We therefore hypothesized that chronic snacking in the inactive phase may promote body weight gain and that this effect is based on disruption of circadian clocks. Male mice were fed a daily chocolate snack either during their rest or their active phase and body weight development and metabolic parameters were investigated. Snacking experiments were repeated in constant darkness and in clock-deficient mutant mice to examine the role of external and internal time cues in mediating the metabolic effects of snacking. Chronic snacking in the rest phase increased body weight gain and disrupted metabolic circadian rhythms in energy expenditure, body temperature, and locomotor activity. Additionally, these rest phase snacking mice assimilated more energy during the inactive phase. Body weight remained increased in rest phase snacking wildtype mice in constant darkness as well as in clock-deficient mutant mice under a regular light–dark cycle compared to mice snacking in the active phase. Weight gain effects were abolished in clock-deficient mice in constant darkness. Our data suggest that mistimed snacking increases energy resorption and promotes body weight gain. This effect requires a functional circadian clock at least under constant darkness conditions. [Display omitted] •Snack timing determines body weight gain and fat mass in male mice.•Rest phase snacking disturbs daily rhythms in energy expenditure and activity.•Rest phase snacking dampens intestinal clock gene expression rhythms.•Rest phase snacking leads to higher energy resorption.•Timed snack effects require a circadian clock or a rhythmic light–dark cycle.