Features of circadian rhythms and their influence on body weight in foreign students

Abstract

Circadian clock is present in every living being and tightly controls one's organism’s functions, especially greatly influencing body metabolism (Wehrens S. et al., 2017). By changing the level of various hormones, synthesis of which is governed by circadian rhythms through specific circadian proteins (like PER, CLOCK and others) our individual biological clock controls levels of anorexigenic (leptin), orexigenic (ghrelin), and other hormones (melatonin), changing the appetite, eating habits of a person and resulting in changes of body weight (Almoosawi S. et al., 2016). As the main structure of central circadian clock is hypothalamus, and in particular its suprachiasmatic nucleus that receives input signals about light intensity including, the peculiarities of illumination caused by changes of schedule, time zone or climatic zone may greatly influence body's metabolism. Thus, people coming for work or training from abroad countries during adaptation period when the circadian clock didn't reset yet, are in group of risk of increase of body mass. Overweight is defined as formation of excessive adipose tissue in human body that may largely worsen person's health (World Health Organization, 2018). According to world's statistics by WHO, about 39% of men and 40% of women have obesity and are suffering from it and its consequences. Among adolescents obesity prevalence is about 18% and tends to increase annually. Mentioned facts prove the importance of research regarding state of overweight and obesity in young people, its possible risk factors and prevention means.