The Impact of Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors on Sleep Quality Outcomes Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
TL;DR
The relationship between university students' poor sleep quality and unhealthy eating habits was explored in this study and certain patterns, such as shorter meal-to-bedtime intervals, demonstrated increased but statistically nonsignificant odds of poor sleep outcomes.
Abstract
The relationship between university students' poor sleep quality and unhealthy eating habits was explored in this study. Examining the relationship between dietary behaviors and sleep quality during the transitional period of university life provides valuable insights into key modifiable factors that may enhance overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between unhealthy eating patterns and sleep quality amid study participants at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), University of the Punjab (PU), University of Education (UE), and Government College University (GCU). The research was conducted using a cross-sectional study design. Higher education students completed a self-reported questionnaire to assess their dietary habits, meal timing, and sleep behaviors. Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sleep quality was assessed and subsequently analyzed in relation to dietary practices and the various components of sleep quality. A greater percentage of males had insufficient sleep latency than females (16.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.025). A greater possibility of shorter sleep duration was correlated with skipping breakfast (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.27-3.30). Extended sleep latency was more common among students who substituted snacks for main meals (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.09-4.53). Additionally, a statistically significant association was found between inconsistent eating patterns and sleep duration (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.89). No dietary behavior was recognized as a notable determinant of poor sleep quality in the regression model. However, certain patterns, such as shorter meal-to-bedtime intervals (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 0.79-5.77, p = 0.133) and replacing main meals with snacks (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 0.67-5.18, p = 0.225), demonstrated increased but statistically nonsignificant odds of poor sleep outcomes. Keywords: University students, chronobiology nutrition, eating habits, eating schedule, sleep health .