Sleep Quality in Obesity: Does Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Matter?

Abstract

Obesity and unhealthy eating habits have been associated with sleep disturbances (SD). The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy nutritional pattern that has been reported to be associated with better health and sleep quality. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate whether adherence to the MD is associated with sleep quality in a population of middle-aged Italian adults. This cross-sectional study included 172 middle-aged adults (71.5% females; 51.8 ± 15.7 years) that were consecutively enrolled in a campaign to prevent obesity called the OPERA (Obesity, Programs of Nutrition, Education, Research and Assessment of the best treatment) prevention project that was held in Naples on 11–13 October 2019. Anthropometric parameters, adherence to the MD and sleep quality were studied. Overall, 50.6% of the subjects were good sleepers (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) < 5) while 49.4% were poor sleepers (PSQI ≥ 5). Our results demonstrated that good sleepers, when compared to poor sleepers (p < 0.001) had significantly higher adherence to the MD as assessed by PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) score, lower BMI (body mass index) and waist circumference (WC). The higher PSQI, the higher the BMI (p < 0.001) and WC values (p < 0.001), thus suggesting that poor sleep was more common in subjects with obesity. In addition, a negative correlation between PSQI and the PREDIMED score (p < 0.001) was found. to the intake of the cluster of foods enclosed in the MD, rather than the intake of the single food, predicted PSQI. By performing a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we determined a cut-off value at a PREDIMED score < 9 as the threshold for screening poor sleepers. In conclusion, good sleepers had lower BMI and WC and higher adherence to the MD than poor sleepers. PSQI was positively associated to BMI and WC while it was negatively associated to adherence to the MD. The consumption of the MD dietary pattern rather than the intake of a single nutrient has a beneficial effect on sleep quality. Hence, the assessment of sleep should be taken into account in the management of obesity and promoting adherence to the MD could be a tool to improve SD.

Associations between Chronotype, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Opinion among University Students

“…In contrast, the E-type shows the lowest adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, there is an association between M-type and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and E-type and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as noted by Muscogiuri et al and Zerón-Rugerio et al [ 36 , 52 ].…”

The Effects of Milk and Dairy Products on Sleep: A Systematic Review

“…Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components in milk and dairy products may also contribute to improvements in sleep quality. A cross-sectional study of older participants [ 29 ] and middle-aged adults [ 30 ] reported that a Mediterranean diet had a positive effect on sleep quality. Older adults who frequently consumed many vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, olive oil, and seafood slept better than their counterparts who did not, suggesting the importance of the food intake in sleep quality.…”

Eating habits and lifestyle changes during COVID-19 lockdown: an Italian survey

“…Of interest, different studies reported an association between sleep disturbances and obesity due to increase the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the increased visceral adipose that could contribute to alter the sleep-wake rhythm [19,20]. In addition, also diet seems to influence the quality of sleep, in fact very recently in a cross-sectional study included 172 middleaged adults it has been reported that good sleepers had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and lower body mass index (BMI) compared to poor sleepers [21].…”