Association between the Degree of Processing of Consumed Foods and Sleep Quality in Adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between food consumption by the degree of processing and sleep quality in adolescents from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. A cross-sectional study with 2499 adolescents (aged 18 to 19 years) was developed. Exposure variables included energy contributions of food groups stratified by the NOVA classification: fresh or minimally processed foods (FMPF), processed foods (PF), and ultra-processed foods (UPF), categorized into quartiles. The outcome variable was sleep quality assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Associations between these variables were estimated by Poisson regression, with robust estimation of variance. Most of the adolescents had poor sleep quality (57.1%). There were associations between FMPF in the third (57.1%–66.0% of total calories; prevalence ratio PR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.97) and fourth quartile (66.1%–95.8% of total calories; PR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.96) and lower prevalence of poor sleep quality. The fourth quartile of UPF (44.3%–81.8% of total calories; PR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.27) was associated with a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality. Higher intake of FMPF is a protective factor for poor sleep quality, whereas higher UPF consumption is a risk factor for poor sleep quality.

Improving Life Habits through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Our findings concerning enhancements in resting habits are also consistent with studies showing improvements in the number of hours of sleep and sleep quality after eight weeks of mindfulness training, including flow meditation [35,59] This is a relevant finding since insufficient rest due to bad sleeping habits is related to poor academic performance [13].…”

“…Poor sleep quality is a recurrent feature of student life and affects not only cognitive processes, but also recovery from stress and the elimination of fatigue, increasing the possibility of poor school performance [10]. Moreover, several studies have shown that sleeping problems, including bad resting habits, correlate positively with both uncontrolled and emotional eating in differing populations [9,11,12] By contrast, sleep duration and sleep quality have been associated with healthy diets [13].…”

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Our findings concerning enhancements in rest habits are also consistent with studies showing improvements in the number of hours of sleep and sleep quality after eight weeks of mindfulness training including flow meditation [34,58]. This is a relevant finding since insufficient rest due to bad sleeping habits is related to poor academic performance [2].…”

“…In Spain, these students are distancing themselves from the traditional Mediterranean diet and food patterns [1]. Lifestyle changes of the past few decades have increasingly led to changes in eating habits such as the reduced consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods and increased consumption of ultra-processed products [2]. New eating habits are reflected in an unhealthy diet and various health-related problems including being overweight [1,3].…”

“…Moreover, several studies have shown that sleeping problems including bad rest habits, correlate positively with both uncontrolled and emotional eating and substance use in differing populations [4,[10][11][12]. In contrast, sleep duration and sleep quality have been associated with healthy diets [2].…”