Associations between Diet and Sleep Duration in Different Menopausal Stages

Abstract

This study aimed to determine which dietary factors were associated with habitual sleep duration in pre/peri- and post-menopausal women. Data from the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used ( N = 1,783). Habitual sleep duration was categorized as very short (<5 h), short (5–6 h), normal (7–8 h), and long (≥9 h). Diet assessment was performed following validated procedures. In pre/peri-menopausal women ( n = 1,116), controlling for the confounders, fewer number of foods, less intake of protein, carbohydrates, thiamin (B1), food folate, total choline, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and selenium were significantly associated with a higher risk for very short sleep. Being on a low-salt diet was related to a lower risk for long sleep. In comparison, in post-menopausal women ( n = 667), controlling for the confounders, more sugar intake, less intake of phosphorus and zinc were related to a higher risk for short sleep. There were novel associations between diet and sleep duration, particularly among pre/peri-menopausal women. Future research is needed to confirm those causal relationships.

Shift work, sleep, and burnout: the impact of Mediterranean dietary pattern and nutritional status on emergency healthcare workers

“…One research determined an association between short sleep duration and a prevalence of inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C, D and E among women ( n = 26211) (Ikonte et al , 2019). In another study, lower intakes of protein, carbohydrate, thiamine, folate, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and selenium were significantly associated with a higher risk of very short sleep in premenopausal women ( n = 1116), and higher sugar intake and lower phosphorus and zinc intakes were associated with a higher risk of short sleep in postmenopausal women ( n = 667) (Zhu et al , 2021). These studies have focused on different sample groups than ours, and there is no research with a similar methodology, involving health-care workers and shift work.…”

Chronotype and Sleep Quality in Obesity: How Do They Change After Menopause?

“…A cross-sectional study of 769 postmenopausal women showed that a lower diet quality is associated with the lowest quality of sleep, as well as high fat consumption is associated with restless sleep [ 68 ]. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( N = 1783) showed that postmenopausal women with more sugar intake and lack phosphorus and zinc are associated with short sleep duration [ 69 ]. Finally, a very recent cross-sectional study in 100 postmenopausal women with obesity showed that legume consumption was associated with lower menopausal symptom severity (evaluated with the Menopausal Rating Scale) while extra virgin olive oil consumption was associated with lower psychological symptoms [ 70 ].…”