Exploring Relationships of Sleep Duration with Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors among Canadian University Students

Abstract

Background: Students pursuing postsecondary education are a population described as vulnerable for sleep problems, poor dietary habits, weight gain, and reduced physical activity. The primary goal of this study was to examine relationships of sleep behaviors with eating and physical activity behaviors in a sample of undergraduate health sciences students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, undergraduate health sciences students in a small Canadian university were recruited to complete an on-line questionnaire about their sleep, eating, and physical activity behaviors using valid and reliable instruments. Key sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported height and weight data were also captured. Results: The participants (n = 245) were on average 23 years of age, female (86%), and the majority were full-time students (92%). The mean BMI was within a healthy range (mean 24.58 SD 5.55) with the majority reporting low physical activity levels (65%). Despite self-reports of very or fairly good (65%) sleep quality in the past month, the mean global sleep scores (scores > 5, mean 7.4, SD 3.3) indicated poor overall sleep quality. Poorer sleep quality was associated with higher BMIs (r = 0.265, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to expand the scope of on-campus wellness programs to promote healthy sleep habits in a vulnerable university population.

How Healthy Are Health-Related Behaviors in University Students: The HOLISTic Study

“…It is well known that sleep duration is an important regulator of body weight and metabolism and the relationship between shorter habitual sleep time and BMI increase has been extensively studied in large population samples [ 38 ]. As previously reported, university students are vulnerable to sleep problems, including irregular sleep schedules and sleep deprivation [ 39 ]. Indeed, many students go to sleep late and wake up early to attend classes and start their daily life without achieving adequate sleep [ 39 ].…”

“…As previously reported, university students are vulnerable to sleep problems, including irregular sleep schedules and sleep deprivation [ 39 ]. Indeed, many students go to sleep late and wake up early to attend classes and start their daily life without achieving adequate sleep [ 39 ]. Thus, they extend sleep on non-working days (e.g., weekends) to compensate for suboptimal sleep duration on workdays [ 39 ].…”

“…Indeed, many students go to sleep late and wake up early to attend classes and start their daily life without achieving adequate sleep [ 39 ]. Thus, they extend sleep on non-working days (e.g., weekends) to compensate for suboptimal sleep duration on workdays [ 39 ]. This was indeed recorded in most of our sample population (with the exception of Foggia) who reported a shorter sleep duration during working days than non-working days.…”

“…Hence, students with the shortest sleep duration on working days (Croatia, Lebanon and Turkey) reported the longest sleep extension on non-working days. Although this practice may provide temporary relief, overcompensation worsens the problem, leading to further disruption in sleep-wake cycles [ 39 ]. This irregular sleep-wake cycle is related to changes in metabolic hormones (e.g., leptin and ghrelin) with consequent increased energy intake and weight gain [ 38 ].…”

“…Additionally, evidence suggests that increased energy intake is also related to short sleep duration, which increases motivation to seek out food as reward [ 40 ]. Indeed, short sleep duration has been acknowledged as a predictor for obesity [ 39 ]. Finally, we have also observed a negative association between BMI and sleep duration during non-working days.…”