| Title: | Seasonality and season of birth effect in the UK Biobank cohort |
| Journal: | Am J Hum Biol |
| Published: | 1 Nov 2020 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32222094/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23417 |
Publication 3803
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Abstract
Humans live in environments that reduce the impact of seasonal cues. However, studies suggest that many aspects of human biology such as birth, metabolism, health and death are still annually rhythmic. Using UK Biobank, we investigated the influence of seasonality on birth rate, basal metabolic rate, health, reaction speed and sleep. We also investigated how season of birth programs our later-life behaviors. We found that annual birth rate peaks in April and May. Poorer subjective general health and slower reaction time were observed in May. Susceptibility to insomnia showed an opposite trend that peaked in autumn and winter. People reported shorter periods of sleep, easier waking, earlier chronotype, more daytime dozing and napping in summer compared to winter. Our results suggest that season of birth may influence later-life characteristics. Overall, our findings show that human sleep, cognition, metabolism and reproduction may be seasonal, and that season of birth appears to have an effect on health and behaviors in adulthood.1 Author
- Didikoglu A et al.
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 41877 | Mechanisms linking season of birth to later-life circadian and mood disorders |
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