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Circadian Desychrony is when the carefully designed harmony between our natural circadian rhythms (or the human/molecular clocks that maintain our sleep-wake cycle and rhythms in cellular hormone release) and the daily cycle of Earth's rotation (the Earth's own natural clock) is disrupted by exposure to artificial light cycles, and by irregular meal, work and sleep times.

This happens every day due to habits born of schedules designed by society in-order to work and party for longer hours and eat according to those hours.

Now a study by Dr. Cathy Wyse, working in the chronobiology research group at the University of Aberdeen, has revealed that while the human clock struggles to stay in tune with the irregular meal, sleep and work schedules of the developed world, this may be negatively impacting our health and even be a significant proponent in the obesity epidemic.

"Electric light allowed humans to override an ancient synchronization between the rhythm of the human clock and the environment, and over the last century, daily rhythms in meal, sleep and working times have gradually disappeared from our lives," said Wyse. "The human clock struggles to remain tuned to our highly irregular lifestyles, and I believe that this causes metabolic and other health problems, and makes us more likely to become obese."

This desyncrony is now an inevitable part of 21^st century life. While our inner clocks are determined by both genes and location, some may be more susceptible than others to experiencing its adverse effects.

Dr. Wyse believes that circadian desynchrony affects human health by disrupting the systems in the brain that regulate metabolism, leading to an increased likelihood of developing obesity and diabetes.

"The reason for the relatively sudden increase in global obesity in the developed world seems to be more complicated than simply diet and physical activity. There are other factors involved, and circadian desynchrony is one that deserves further attention."

Wyse and Colleagues find that while weekends are a necessary part of rehabilitating and restoring this cycle many people use the time to work or play, ignoring their bodies need for sleep.

Many health nuts believe that fighting the body's cravings for rest and food is the way to stay physically fit and monetarily successful. But experts say that listening to your body is just as crucial.