Spring Forward = Fall Back? The Effect of Daylight Saving Time Change on Consumers' Unhealthy Behavior.

This article investigates the impact of the onset of daylight saving time (DST) on unhealthy consumer behavior, focusing on increased calorie consumption from packaged snacks and decreased fitness center visits. Using a difference-in-differences approach with panel data from U.S. consumers affected by DST and control groups from states not observing DST, the research finds that the spring transition to DST leads to a significant rise in consumption of largely unhealthy snacks—especially in the evening and on cloudy days—and a substantial decline in fitness center attendance, particularly among consumers without established healthy habits or facing higher transaction costs. The study also reveals an asymmetric effect, with no significant behavioral changes observed at the end of DST in the fall, supporting the role of sleepiness and impaired self-control as underlying mechanisms. These findings have implications for public policy, consumer well-being, and health-related businesses, suggesting the need for targeted support around the DST onset to mitigate its adverse health-related consequences.