title: Chronotype, gender and general health.
abstract: Light-dark alternation has always been the strongest external circadian "zeitgeber" for humans. Due to its growing technological preference, our society is quickly transforming toward a progressive "eveningness" (E), with consequences on personal circadian preference (chronotype), depending on gender as well. The aim of this study was to review the available evidence of possible relationships between chronotype and gender, with relevance on disturbances that could negatively impact general health, including daily life aspects.
  
  
  
  Electronic searches of the published literature were performed in the databases MEDLINE and Web of Science, by using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH), when available, or other specific keywords.
  
  
  
  Results were grouped into four general areas, i.e. (a) "General and Cardiovascular Issues", (b) "Psychological and Psychopathological Issues", (c) "Sleep and Sleep-Related Issues" and (d) "School and School-Related Issues". (a) E is associated with unhealthy and dietary habits, smoking and alcohol drinking (in younger subjects) and, in adults, with diabetes and metabolic syndrome; (b) E is associated with impulsivity and anger, depression, anxiety disorders and nightmares (especially in women), risk taking behavior, use of alcohol, coffee and stimulants, psychopathology and personality traits; (c) E has been associated, especially in young subjects, with later bedtime and wake-up time, irregular sleep-wake schedule, subjective poor sleep, school performance and motivation, health-related quality of life; (d) E was associated with lowest mood and lower overall grade point average (especially for women).
  
  
  
  Eveningness may impact general health, either physical or mental, sleep, school results and achievements, especially in younger age and in women. The role of family support is crucial, and parents should be deeply informed that abuse of technological devices during night hours may lead to the immature adjustment function of children's endogenous circadian pacemakers.
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.|b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fabbian
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zucchi
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.|b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Giorgi
authors.affiliation: b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Ruana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiseo
authors.affiliation: b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boari
authors.affiliation: b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salmi
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cappadona
authors.affiliation: b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gianesini
authors.affiliation: b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.affiliation: c Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale of Ferrara & University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Signani
authors.affiliation: d Sapienza-University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raparelli
authors.affiliation: d Sapienza-University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basili
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.|b Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manfredini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: chronobiology; chronotype; circadian rhythm; education; gender; health; psychopathology; school; sleep