Eating habits are associated with subjective sleep quality outcomes among university students: findings of a cross-sectional study

Purpose This study investigated the relationships between eating habits and sleep quality among university students. Methods In a cross-sectional study, university students completed a self-report questionnaire to assess eating habits and meal timing. We assessed subjective sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and examined the associations between eating habits and overall sleep quality and its components. Results Four hundred ninety-eight students participated in the study. Students who used to skip breakfast, ate late-night snacks, and replaced meals with snacks were at 1.20 times, 1.24 times, and 1.25 times higher likelihood of having poor overall sleep quality, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that skipping breakfast (r = - 0.111, P = 0.007), late-night snacks (r = - 0.109, P = 0.007), replacing meals with snacks (r = - 0.126, P = 0.002), and irregular mealtimes (r = - 0.094, P = 0.018) were the best correlates with poor sleep quality. After adjustment to demographic variables, replacing meals with snacks followed by skipping breakfast were the best independent associations with poor sleep quality by the PSQI. Conclusions Eating habits and meal timing were significantly associated with sleep quality. We speculate that healthy eating habits may lead to improved sleep quality and sleep components among university students.