Diet, Eating Habits, and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Adequate Sleep Duration in Children and Adolescents Living in 5 Mediterranean Countries: The DELICIOUS Project
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Sleep is a fundamental physiological function that plays a crucial role in maintaining health and well-being. The aim of this study was to assess dietary and lifestyle factors associated with adequate sleep duration in children and adolescents living in five Mediterranean countries. Methods: Parents of children and adolescents taking part in an initial survey for the DELICIOUS project were examined to assess their children’s dietary and eating habits (i.e., meal routines), as well as other lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity levels, screen time, etc.) potentially associated with adequate sleep duration (defined as 8–10 h according to the National Sleep Foundation). The youth healthy eating index (Y-HEI) was used to assess the diet quality of children and adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), indicating the level of association between variables. Results: A total of 2011 individuals participated in the survey. The adolescents and children of younger parents reported being more likely to have inadequate sleep duration. Among eating behaviors, having breakfast (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.62, 3.08) and eating at school (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.74) were associated with adequate sleep duration. In contrast, children eating alone, screen time, and eating outside of the home were less likely to have adequate sleep duration, although these findings were only significant in the unadjusted model. After adjusting for covariates, a better diet quality (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.16), including higher intake of fruits, meat, fish, and whole grains, was associated with adequate sleep duration. Conclusions: Adequate sleep duration seems to be highly influenced by factors related to individual lifestyles, family and school eating behaviors, as well as diet quality.
Source: Nutrients
DOI: 10.3390/nu17071242
Authors: Justyna Godos, Alice Rosi, Francesca Scazzina, Maria Antonieta Touriz Bonifaz, Francesca Giampieri, Osama Abdelkarim, Achraf Ammar, Mohamed Aly, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Juancho Pons, Laura Vázquez-Araújo, Josep Alemany-Iturriaga, Lorenzo Monasta, Ana Mata, Adrián Chacón, Pablo Busó, Giuseppe Grosso
Institutions: University of Catania, University of Parma, University of Guayaquil, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Jiangsu University, Marche Polytechnic University, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Assiut University, University of Sfax, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institut Supérieur du Sport et de l’Éducation Physique de Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Texas State University, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Basque Culinary Center, Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo, Aiju
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W4409108371