Associations among Sleep Quality, Changes in Eating Habits, and Overweight or Obesity after Studying Abroad among International Students in South Korea

Abstract

<jats:p>International students are experiencing health problems due to many lifestyle changes, such as those in dietary and sleep patterns. We conducted this study to identify the associations among sleep patterns, changes in eating habits after studying abroad, and overweight or obesity in international students. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data on health-related variables, changes in eating habits after studying abroad, and sleep patterns that were collected from 225 international students in South Korea. Approximately half of the participants experienced poor sleep (47.6%). After adjusting for covariates such as age, gender, nationality, and acculturative stress, the subjects who had poor sleep quality were 2.020-fold (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 1.045–3.906) more likely to be overweight and obese than those who had good sleep quality. There were significant differences in changes of eating habits after studying abroad according to sleep quality (p &lt; 0.001). When subjects were stratified into groups according to changes in eating habits after studying abroad, the risk of overweight and obesity increased in those with poor sleep quality but not in those with good sleep quality among subjects who had changes in bad eating habits. However, the risk of overweight and obesity did not differ among subjects with changes in good eating habits regardless of their sleep quality.</jats:p>

Relación entre calidad del sueño, hábitos alimentarios y perfil antropométrico en adolescentes: Una en-cuesta transversal (Relationship between sleep quality, eating habits, and anthropometric profile in adolescents: A cross-sectional survey)

“…Otro hallazgo importante de este estudio es que existe una correlación significativa entre la calidad de sueño y los hábitos alimentarios. Estos hallazgos son similares a los resultados encontrados en un estudio realizado en estudiantes en el que se ha evidenciado relación entre los hábitos de sueño y los patrones alimentarios (Doo & Wang, 2020). Estudios han demostrado que los hábitos alimentarios saludables como el consumo de hidratos de carbono complejo, triptófano, melatonina y fitonutrientes se relacionan con una mejor calidad de sueño (Onaolapo & Onaolapo, 2019).…”

“…Estudios han demostrado que los hábitos alimentarios saludables como el consumo de hidratos de carbono complejo, triptófano, melatonina y fitonutrientes se relacionan con una mejor calidad de sueño (Onaolapo & Onaolapo, 2019). En cambio, las dietas ricas en carbohidratos con altos índices glucémicos o alimentos de alta densidad calórica pueden provocar alteraciones en la duración y calidad del sueño (Doo & Wang, 2020). También, los hábitos de sueños inadecuados pueden repercutir en la regulación del apetito y el hambre e influir de manera negativa en la elección de los alimentos y la ingesta de calorías (Rahe et al, 2015).…”

Regular Taekwondo Training Affects Mood State and Sociality but Not Cognitive Function among International Students in South Korea

“…International students in South Korea are no exception. Although the number of international students in South Korea is increasing, they experience poor physical, psychological, and social well-being, given to the problems in academic performance due to language barriers and difficulties in adapting to the new environment, making it difficult for them to successfully complete their degree [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Boarding versus day‐students: A mixed‐methods analysis of sleep and its relationship with psychological distress

“…International boarding students face unique challenges and notably language and adjusting to an unfamiliar cultural environment (Yeo, 2010). Sleep problems are especially prevalent in international university students (Doo & Wang, 2020; Jiang et al, 2015; Pallos et al, 2005), but less is known about the sleep of international secondary boarding students. A particular area of concern is that time zone differences can result in home communications falling during sleep time, complicating the balance between psychosocial and sleep needs.…”