Comment on Rodríguez-Cortés et al. Individual Circadian Preference, Eating Disorders and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Dangerous Liaison? A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis. Children 2022, 9, 167.

This commentary critically examines the article by Rodríguez-Cortés et al. on the links between circadian preferences, eating disorders, and obesity in pediatric populations, emphasizing the association between evening chronotypes and disordered eating behaviors. Key findings highlight the increased prevalence of food addiction (FA) and night eating syndrome (NES) among evening-oriented children and adolescents, though the article's reliance on studies with adult samples limits the generalizability of its conclusions. Additionally, the ambiguous classification of FA and NES within broader eating disorder frameworks necessitates further investigation to delineate these behaviors from traditional disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa. This commentary advocates for future research focusing on pediatric populations to explore the intersection of circadian misalignment with emotional regulation and environmental factors, aiming to develop tailored preventative strategies that incorporate chronobiological and lifestyle modifications.