Eating late at night contributes to weight gain and metabolic disruption due to lower diet-induced thermogenesis, reduced fat oxidation, and poorer circadian alignment during the inactive phase.
Multiple retrieved studies (e.g., papers 0, 1, 7, 8) support the claim that late-night eating impairs fat oxidation, thermogenesis, and metabolic regulation, which leads to increased risk of weight gain and obesity. There are no refuting studies in the provided set.