Light exposure differs by sex in the US, with females receiving less bright light.

ABSTRACT: Light is the primary entraining cue for the circadian system and has other, non-circadian, effects on health. Sex differences in light exposure patterns could drive sex differences in health outcomes. Real-world light exposure (measured with wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3X+) was investigated in the 2011-2014 U.S.-based National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with metrics reflecting duration in and timing of exposure at different light levels. Sex differences were tested using two-sample t-tests and linear regression models. Occupational and physical activity-related factors were also explored as contributing factors using linear regression models adjusted for age, season, and race/ethnicity. 11,314 NHANES participants (age range: 3-80+, 52.2% females) were included in the analy

SUBMITTER: Wallace DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12395419 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature