Nocturnal fat oxidation is lower in older individuals with overweight/obesity, including those with type 2 diabetes, and is associated with fasting triglyceride levels – published online 12/05/2026

Soraya S. de Kam, Jeroen H. P. M. van der Velde, Anna Veelen, Johanna A. Jörgensen, Joris Hoeks, Patrick Schrauwen

Metabolic health is characterised by a fed-to-fasting transition in substrate metabolism, switching from predominantly carbohydrate oxidation in the fed state to fat oxidation during the overnight fast. In this issue, de Kam et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-026-06736-z) compared nocturnal substrate oxidation in 187 individuals differing in age, body composition and metabolic status to identify factors associated with variations in nocturnal substrate oxidation. They found that older individuals with overweight/obesity, irrespective of type 2 diabetes status, showed lower nocturnal fat oxidation than young and older lean individuals. No differences in nocturnal substrate oxidation were observed between young and older lean individuals, suggesting that age is not a major factor. Fasting triglycerides were inversely associated with nocturnal fat oxidation, suggesting their potential as a metabolic marker for nocturnal substrate oxidation. The authors conclude that strategies aimed at increasing nocturnal fat oxidation and restoring the fed-to-fasting transition may help to improve metabolic health in individuals with overweight/obesity.

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