Associations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sleep Metrics in the Energy Balance Study (EBS)

Abstract

(1) Background: Sleep, a physiological necessity, has strong inflammatory underpinnings. Diet is a strong moderator of systemic inflammation. This study explored the associations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and sleep duration, timing, and quality from the Energy Balance Study (EBS). (2) Methods: The EBS (n = 427) prospectively explored energy intake, expenditure, and body composition. Sleep was measured using BodyMedia’s SenseWear® armband. DII scores were calculated from three unannounced dietary recalls (baseline, 1-, 2-, and 3-years). The DII was analyzed continuously and categorically (very anti-, moderately anti-, neutral, and pro-inflammatory). Linear mixed-effects models estimated the DII score impact on sleep parameters. (3) Results: Compared with the very anti-inflammatory category, the pro-inflammatory category was more likely to be female (58% vs. 39%, p = 0.02) and African American (27% vs. 3%, p < 0.01). For every one-unit increase in the change in DII score (i.e., diets became more pro-inflammatory), wake-after-sleep-onset (WASO) increased (βChange = 1.00, p = 0.01), sleep efficiency decreased (βChange = −0.16, p < 0.05), and bedtime (βChange = 1.86, p = 0.04) and waketime became later (βChange = 1.90, p < 0.05). Associations between bedtime and the DII were stronger among African Americans (βChange = 6.05, p < 0.01) than European Americans (βChange = 0.52, p = 0.64). (4) Conclusions: Future studies should address worsening sleep quality from inflammatory diets, leading to negative health outcomes, and explore potential demographic differences.

Dietary Inflammatory Index, Sleep Duration, and Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review

“…Seven studies assessed the association between sleep duration and dietary inflammation using the DII. Three studies assessed sleep duration by using objective methods (i.e., using actigraphy) [ 24 , 26 , 29 ]. Four studies assessed sleep duration subjectively using either the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [ 19 , 20 , 33 ] or self-reported hours of sleep per night [ 21 ].…”

“…Six studies were conducted in healthy adults across the lifespan [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 26 , 29 , 33 ]. Of these, two reported outcomes in younger participants [ 26 , 33 ], while four studies focused on middle-aged participants [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 24 ].…”

“…Six studies were conducted in healthy adults across the lifespan [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 26 , 29 , 33 ]. Of these, two reported outcomes in younger participants [ 26 , 33 ], while four studies focused on middle-aged participants [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 24 ]. Across the six studies, only two studies reported an association between sleep duration and dietary inflammation, such that more inflammatory diets were associated with a shorter (less than 6 h) [ 19 , 21 ] and longer (more than 9 h) [ 21 ] sleep duration.…”

Association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sleep Quality among Lebanese University Students

“…17 43 Still, these findings are consistent with the results of previous longitudinal studies, in which an increase in the DII was associated with longer, objectively measured, wake-after-sleep-onset (WASO) among European American obese and overweight pregnant women, police officers, and young adults from the United States. 18 19 46 47 Additionally, an increase in DII was associated with a decrease in sleep efficiency. 46 47 However, in the present study, we also found an unforeseen result that links higher E-DIIs with a reduced risk of daytime dysfunction, with individuals in the third E-DII quartile having less daytime dysfunction compared with those in the first E-DII quartile.…”

“…18 19 46 47 Additionally, an increase in DII was associated with a decrease in sleep efficiency. 46 47 However, in the present study, we also found an unforeseen result that links higher E-DIIs with a reduced risk of daytime dysfunction, with individuals in the third E-DII quartile having less daytime dysfunction compared with those in the first E-DII quartile. This result also contradicts those of the study by Masaad et al, 17 who found that high E-DIIs are positively associated with daytime dysfunction.…”