Dietary Intake and Eating-Related Cognitions Related to Sleep Among Adolescents Who Are Overweight or Obese

Abstract

Objective To examine associations of sleep duration and regularity with dietary intake and eating-related cognitions among adolescents who are overweight/obese. Methods Participants were 315 adolescents being evaluated through Healthy Kids, Healthy Weight. Outcomes were reported sleep duration and regularity (bedtime shift, wake-time shift, sleep duration shift). Major predictors were dietary intake (e.g., consumption of calories and sugar-sweetened beverages) and eating-related cognitions (food preoccupation, eating self-efficacy). Results Findings were that staying up (i.e., bedtime shift) and sleeping in later (i.e., wake-time shift) on weekends compared with weekdays significantly relates to drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages, the latter for males. Sleeping in on weekends was related to greater food preoccupation. Conclusions Sleep regularity was the most important variable in its relationships with dietary intake. Evaluating sleep patterns and improving them with behavioral interventions should be considered as an additional weight loss strategy to promote dietary adherence.