Poor sleep quality among young adults: The role of anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, and low dietary calcium intake

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between sleep quality, anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain (MSP), and calcium intake. Design and Methods: In this cross-sectional study (N = 1422), sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and calcium intake and MSP were assessed by self-reporting. Findings: Poor sleep quality was reported by 62.66% of the participants. The participants with poor sleep quality reported lower calcium intake, higher anxiety and depression levels, more severe MSP, and multisite pain. Anxiety, depression, low calcium intake, and multisite pain were significant predictors of poor sleep quality. Anxiety was predicted by poor sleep quality, depression, multisite pain, and sex (ie, female). Depression was predicted by anxiety, poor sleep quality, and low calcium intake. Practical Implications: The findings underscore the role of low calcium intake in the development of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and MSP. Individuals with these conditions should be advised to increase their calcium intake.

Nightmares and bad dreams among individuals with musculoskeletal pain: a link to vitamin D and calcium

“…In our previous cross sectional study that involve 1422 students' ages between 18-29 years, poor sleep quality was reported by 62.66% of the participants (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021). In addition, the participants with poor sleep quality reported lower daily calcium intake, higher anxiety and depression levels, more severe MSP.…”

“…Daily calcium intake was determined as previously described (Alkhatatbeh, Abdul-Razzak, & Khwaileh, 2021). In brief, participants were asked questions regarding their daily frequency and type of dairy products intake (milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and labaneh, which is a soft cream cheese made by removing whey from yogurt with a cheese cloth).…”

“…In brief, participants were asked questions regarding their daily frequency and type of dairy products intake (milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and labaneh, which is a soft cream cheese made by removing whey from yogurt with a cheese cloth). Intake of dairy products was determined on a daily basis as none, one, two, or three or more dairy servings per day (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021). On the assessment, a dairy serving was defined as: 1 cup of milk or yogurt (300 mg calcium), 2 full tablespoons (28 g) of labaneh (100 mg calcium), and a 28 g piece of cheese (162 mg calcium) or cream cheese (20 mg calcium) (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021).…”

“…Intake of dairy products was determined on a daily basis as none, one, two, or three or more dairy servings per day (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021). On the assessment, a dairy serving was defined as: 1 cup of milk or yogurt (300 mg calcium), 2 full tablespoons (28 g) of labaneh (100 mg calcium), and a 28 g piece of cheese (162 mg calcium) or cream cheese (20 mg calcium) (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021).…”

“…Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using an Arabic translation (Alkhatatbeh et al, 2021) of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983). The HADS consists of 7 items that assess anxiety symptoms and other 7 items that assess depression symptoms.…”