Grab the sunbeds early! How sunbathing in the morning helps you to lose weight on holiday, say scientists

Holidaymakers wanting to lose weight on holiday should sunbathe in the morning rather than the afternoon, according to a new study.
Researchers found early rays keep off the pounds as people exposed to earlier sunlight are leaner than those who opt for the afternoon.
The report shows the timing, intensity and duration of light exposure during the day is linked to weight - the first time this has been shown.

Keeping slim: Sunbathing in the morning helps with weight loss, according to the study

People who had most of their daily exposure to even moderately bright light in the morning had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those who opted for later in the day - according to the study which included 54 people - 26 men and 28 women - with an average age of 30.
Co-lead author Doctor Kathryn Reid, research associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, US, said: 'The earlier this light exposure occurred during the day, the lower individuals' body mass index.

'The later the hour of moderately bright light exposure, the higher a person's BMI.'
The influence of morning light exposure on body weight was independent of a person's physical activity level, calorific intake, sleep timing, age and the season.

Early risers: Light exposure in the morning helps reduce BMI, according to scientists

It accounted for about 20 per cent of a person's BMI, according to the findings published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Study senior author Doctor Phyllis Zee said: 'Light is the most potent agent to synchronise your internal body clock that regulates circadian rhythms, which in turn also regulate energy balance.
"The message is that you should get more bright light between 8am and noon.'
She said about 20 to 30 minutes of morning light is enough to affect BMI.
Dr Zee added: 'If a person doesn't get sufficient light at the appropriate time of day, it could de-synchronise your internal body clock, which is known to alter metabolism and can lead to weight gain.'
For the study, people wore a wrist actigraphy monitor that measured their light exposure and sleep parameters for seven days in normal-living conditions. 
Their calorific intake was determined from seven days of food logs.
Dr Zee added: 'We focus on how too much light at night is bad; it's also bad not to get enough light at the appropriate time during the day.