Researchers studied 677 Finnish children ages 3-6 to understand what determines when kids eat during the day. They found that a child’s natural sleep-wake rhythm (whether they’re a morning person or night owl) is the biggest factor affecting meal timing. Kids who naturally wake up later tend to eat breakfast later and have their last meal later too. Family factors like parents’ work schedules and family income also play a smaller role in shaping when children eat. This research suggests that understanding each child’s natural rhythm might help parents plan healthier eating patterns for their preschoolers.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What factors influence when preschool children eat their meals throughout the day, including their natural sleep-wake patterns, family income, and parents’ work schedules.
  • Who participated: 677 Finnish children between ages 3 and 6 years old. Researchers tracked what and when these children ate using 3-day food diaries and measured their sleep patterns using special wristbands worn for a week.
  • Key finding: A child’s natural chronotype (whether they’re naturally a morning person or evening person) was the strongest predictor of when they eat. Children who naturally wake up later also eat breakfast later and have their last meal later in the day.
  • What it means for you: Understanding whether your child is naturally a morning or evening person may help you set realistic meal times that work with their body’s natural rhythm, potentially supporting better eating habits. However, this is one study and more research is needed before making major changes to your child’s routine.

The Research Details

This study looked at 677 Finnish preschoolers and collected information about when they ate meals over 3 days by having parents keep food records. At the same time, researchers measured the children’s sleep patterns using special wristbands (actigraphy) worn for 7 days to determine each child’s natural sleep-wake rhythm. The researchers then used statistical analysis to see which factors—like the child’s natural sleep pattern, family income, parents’ work schedules, the child’s age, and whether the child was a boy or girl—were connected to when children ate their meals.

The study measured several aspects of eating timing: when kids had their first meal, when they had their last meal, the middle point of their eating day, how long they went without eating overnight, and how many eating occasions they had. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to see the full picture of each child’s eating schedule.

Understanding what shapes children’s eating schedules is important because when we eat can affect our metabolism and overall health. By identifying the main factors that influence meal timing in young children, researchers can help parents and caregivers create eating schedules that work better with their child’s natural tendencies, which might lead to healthier eating habits and better health outcomes.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonably large group of children (677), used objective measurements of sleep patterns with wristbands rather than just asking parents, and collected detailed food records over multiple days. However, because it’s a cross-sectional study (a snapshot in time rather than following children over months or years), it can show connections between factors but cannot prove that one thing causes another. The study was conducted in Finland, so results may not apply equally to children in other countries with different cultures and work schedules. Additionally, the study relied on parents to accurately record what their children ate, which can sometimes be incomplete or inaccurate.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that a child’s natural sleep-wake pattern (chronotype) strongly influenced when they ate. Children who naturally stayed up later (evening chronotype) ate their first meal later in the day, had their last meal later, and had their main eating period later compared to children who naturally woke up early (morning chronotype). Morning-type children ate breakfast earlier and finished eating earlier in the day.

Interestingly, children with morning or intermediate sleep patterns had more eating occasions throughout the day compared to evening-type children. This suggests that natural sleep rhythm affects not just when kids eat, but also how often they eat.

Family factors showed smaller but still meaningful effects. When fathers worked regular daytime hours, their children had longer overnight fasting periods (time without eating) compared to families where fathers didn’t work or worked shifts. On weekdays, children whose mothers worked regular hours ate their first meal earlier than children whose mothers worked shift schedules.

Higher family income was associated with children having their main eating period (energy midpoint) later in the day. On weekends, boys had a longer time between waking up and eating their first meal compared to girls. These secondary findings suggest that family circumstances and sex differences also play roles in shaping eating patterns, though these effects were smaller than the chronotype effect.

This research builds on growing interest in ‘chrononutrition’—the study of how meal timing affects health. Previous studies in adults have shown that meal timing matters for metabolism and weight management. This study extends that understanding to young children and identifies chronotype as a key factor. The findings align with other research showing that natural sleep-wake patterns influence many daily behaviors and biological processes. However, this is one of the first studies to specifically examine how chronotype shapes eating patterns in preschool-aged children.

The study was conducted only in Finland, so results may not apply to children in other countries with different family structures, work patterns, or cultural eating traditions. Because this is a snapshot study rather than following children over time, we cannot determine whether chronotype actually causes the eating pattern differences or if other unmeasured factors are responsible. The study relied on parents to record food intake, which can be subject to errors or incomplete information. Additionally, the study measured sleep patterns for only 7 days, which may not capture typical patterns if that week was unusual for the family.

The Bottom Line

Parents and caregivers may consider observing their child’s natural sleep-wake patterns and trying to align meal times with these patterns when possible. For example, if your child naturally wakes up later, pushing breakfast earlier might work against their body’s rhythm. This is a reasonable approach based on this research, though it’s not a strong recommendation requiring immediate action. Parents should also continue following standard nutrition guidelines for healthy meal timing and composition. If you have concerns about your child’s eating patterns or sleep schedule, consult with your pediatrician.

This research is most relevant to parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children (3-6 years old) who are trying to establish healthy eating routines. It may be particularly useful for families trying to understand why their child seems to prefer eating at certain times. Teachers and childcare providers working with preschoolers might also find this information helpful when planning meal times. The findings are less directly applicable to older children or adults, though the general principle that chronotype affects eating timing may apply across ages.

If you adjust meal times to better match your child’s natural sleep-wake pattern, you might notice improved appetite and more cooperative eating within 1-2 weeks. However, establishing stable new eating habits typically takes several weeks to a few months. Don’t expect dramatic changes immediately—this is about working with your child’s natural tendencies rather than forcing a schedule that conflicts with their biology.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s meal times for one week and note when they naturally seem hungry. Record the time of first meal, last meal, and number of eating occasions. Also note your child’s typical wake-up and bedtime. This creates a baseline to see if meal times align with their sleep pattern.
  • Use the app to set meal reminders that align with your child’s natural wake time rather than a fixed clock time. For example, if your child naturally wakes 30 minutes later than typical, try scheduling breakfast 30 minutes later and observe if your child eats better and is less resistant.
  • Over the next month, track whether adjusting meal times to match your child’s natural rhythm leads to fewer battles at mealtimes, better appetite, or more consistent eating. Monitor both the timing of meals and your child’s responsiveness to eating. This personal tracking helps you see if this approach works for your specific child.

This research describes associations between sleep patterns and meal timing in preschool children but does not establish cause-and-effect relationships. The findings are based on a single study in Finland and may not apply to all populations or cultures. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have concerns about your child’s eating patterns, sleep schedule, or nutrition, please consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. Do not make significant changes to your child’s meal schedule or sleep routine without discussing with your healthcare provider, especially if your child has any medical conditions or special dietary needs.