Losing one hour in spring may do more than leave people tired. It can also push them toward processed snacks and away from the gym.<\/p>\n
Research published in the Journal of Marketing<\/a> examined eating and exercise before and after the start of daylight saving time. Across two studies, unhealthy snacking increased and gym attendance declined after clocks moved forward.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s quite a bit of research in health fields related to how well-being is affected by daylight saving time,\u201d said Ram Janakiraman, a professor of marketing analytics at North Carolina State University\u2019s Poole College of Management<\/a>. \u201cWe wanted to explore similar issues through the lens of consumer behavior, giving us new insights into how daylight saving influences the decisions we make.\u201d<\/p>\n Losing one hour in spring may do more than leave people tired. (CREDIT: Shutterstock) Snack habits shifted after the lost hour<\/p>\n The first study examined information collected by a U.S. packaged food company from 2004 through 2010.<\/p>\n Participants in a nationally representative group recorded their snacks<\/a> for two weeks using mobile devices. They reported what they ate, when they ate it and how much they consumed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis data set is remarkable because it spans multiple years and tracks specifically what people are eating,\u201d Janakiraman said. \u201cMany other data sets look at what people buy, or rely on people remembering what they\u2019d eaten. This data was collected using a methodology that had study participants enter their consumption in the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n The records included days before and after daylight saving time began. Consumers in areas that did not change their clocks served as a comparison group.<\/p>\n Processed snack consumption increased after the spring transition. The rise was most noticeable later in the day and during overcast weather.<\/p>\n Processed snack consumption increased after the spring transition. (CREDIT: Shutterstock) Gym attendance also declined<\/p>\n The second study used attendance records from a company operating hundreds of U.S. fitness centers.<\/p>\n Researchers compared customer visits during the week before the clock change with visits during the following week. Gyms in regions that did not observe daylight saving time again served as controls.<\/p>\n Attendance fell after clocks moved forward, but the effect was not equal across all customers.<\/p>\n \u201cThis effect was stronger in people who are irregular gym users<\/a>,\u201d said Rishika Rishika, a co-author and associate professor of marketing at NC State. \u201cPeople who have a regular gym schedule were less affected by the time change. This negative effect of daylight saving time was also more pronounced the further people live from the gym.\u201d<\/p>\n The results suggest that strong routines may help protect people from temporary disruption. Those with inconsistent exercise habits or longer trips to the gym appeared more likely to skip a visit.<\/p>\n Those with inconsistent exercise habits or longer trips to the gym appeared more likely to skip a visit. (CREDIT: Shutterstock) Established routines offered some protection<\/p>\n The studies did not show that every person changes behavior after the spring transition. Instead, they revealed broader patterns across consumer records.<\/p>\n \u201cAnecdotally, we often hear stories from friends and acquaintances about how daylight saving time affects them,\u201d Rishika said. \u201cWe wanted to see if there was data supporting the idea that moving the clock ahead one hour actually affects our behaviors.\u201d<\/p>\n The data supported that concern. People ate more processed snacks<\/a> and exercised less after losing an hour, particularly when healthy habits were not firmly established.<\/p>\n \u201cOne big takeaway for consumers is that we need to be mindful about trying to maintain healthy habits after daylight saving time,\u201d Rishika said.<\/p>\n Planning meals, preparing healthier snacks and scheduling workouts may help people remain consistent during the transition.<\/p>\n One big takeaway for consumers is that we need to be mindful about trying to maintain healthy habits after daylight saving time. (CREDIT: Shutterstock) The findings enter a national debate<\/p>\n The research arrives as Congress again considers ending the twice-yearly clock changes.<\/p>\n