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Dietary nutrients associated with short and long sleep duration. Data from a nationally representative sample
Michael A Grandner1, Nicholas Jackson, Jason R Gerstner
1Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3624 Market Street, Suite 205, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. grandner@upenn.edu
Appetite
|January 24, 2013
Summary
Short sleep duration and long sleep duration are linked to various health issues. This study found significant associations between sleep duration and nutrient intake, suggesting diet plays a role in sleep health.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Short and long sleep durations are linked to adverse health outcomes, including obesity and cardiovascular disease.
- The relationship between diet and habitual sleep duration remains underexplored.
- Diet may represent a key pathway connecting sleep patterns and overall health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the associations between habitual sleep parameters and dietary/nutritional variables.
- To test the hypothesis that very short, short, and long sleep durations are associated with specific nutrient intakes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2008.
- Analyzed associations between self-reported habitual sleep duration (very short <5h, short 5-6h, normal 7-8h, long 9+h) and dietary intake variables.
- Employed stepwise regression analyses to identify significant nutrient contributors to sleep duration variations.
Main Results:
- Energy intake and food variety differed significantly across sleep duration groups (p<0.001).
- Significant associations were observed between sleep duration and intake of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- Specific nutrients like theobromine, vitamin C, tap water, lutein+zeaxanthin, dodecanoic acid, choline, lycopene, total carbohydrate, selenium, and alcohol showed significant associations with various sleep durations.
Conclusions:
- Numerous nutrient variables are associated with short and/or long sleep durations, potentially mediated by differences in food variety.
- Further research is needed to determine if these associations are due to appetite dysregulation or if nutrients physiologically impact sleep.
- Findings contribute to understanding the complex diet-sleep relationship and its implications for obesity and cardiometabolic risk.
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