The Association between Diet and Sleep Quality among Spanish University Students

Abstract

While it has long been recognized that diet is a leading behavioral risk factor for human health, recent scientific findings have also suggested that diet and sleep quality may be connected. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the association between diet and sleep quality among a group of Spanish university students. To do so, a cross-sectional study of 868 students was carried out. Sleep quality was assessed using the Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while diet was assessed using the Spanish Healthy Eating Index (SHEI). The study revealed a noteworthy rate of bad sleepers (51.6%) and students whose diet needed modifications (82.2%). Unhealthy eaters were more likely to have poor sleep quality (aOR = 4.20; CI 95%: 2.07-8.52). The unbalanced intake of vegetables (aOR = 1.63; CI 95%: 1.14-2.34), fruits (aOR = 4.08; CI 95%: 2.90-5.74), dairy products (aOR = 1.96; CI 95%: 1.41-2.72), lean meats (aOR = 1.82; CI 95%: 1.19-2.78), legumes (aOR = 1.43; CI 95%: 1.00-2.02), sweets (aOR = 1.60; CI 95%: 1.13-2.25) and sugary soft drinks (aOR = 1.46; CI 95%: 1.07-1.99) was associated with lower sleep quality.

Keywords: cross-sectional studies; diet; sleep quality; university students.

Figure 1

Participant selection flowchart.

Figure 2

Level of adherence to recommended frequency for eating foods according to sleep quality. * Statistically significant differences between groups (p < 0.05 bilateral). Note: Non-adherence to recommended food intake criteria (SENC): bread and grains: less than daily; vegetables: less than daily; fruits: less than daily; dairy products: less than daily; meat: more than twice a week; legumes: less than twice a week; cold meats and cuts: once a week or more; sweets: once a week or more; and soft drinks with sugar: once a week or more.