0127 Nighttime Snacking: Prevalence And Associations With Poor Sleep, Health, Obesity, And Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Nighttime food cravings may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors and represent a potential link between poor sleep and obesity. Methods: Data were collected from a nationwide, phone-based survey of N=3,105 US adults from 23 metropolitan areas. Participants were asked, "Do you crave junk food more when you lack sleep?" coded No, Some, and Much, and if they eat a snack before going to bed. Participants were also asked for bedtime and waketime (to compute habitual sleep period), poor sleep quality (0=Not at all, 4=Very much), and history of obesity, diabetes, or any other health problem. Covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, history of depression, and marital status. Results: Prevalence of nighttime snacking was 59.9%, and junk food craving 49.8% (Some) and 17.1% (Much). Cravings due to sleep loss were more likely among younger individuals with depression and poor sleep quality, and less likely among adults who never married. No relationship was seen for sex, race/ethnicity, or sleep duration. "Very much" poor sleep quality was associated with increased likelihood of "much" junk food cravings (OR=12.7, 95%CI[7.7,21.0], p<0.0001). In analyses adjusted for covariates, sleep duration, and sleep quality: craving junk food was associated with increased likelihood of obesity (Some OR=1.4, 95%CI[1.1,1.8], p=0.009; Much OR=2.0, 95%CI[1.5,2.8], p<0.0001), diabetes (Much OR=1.8, 95%CI[1.3,2.6], p=0.001), and any health problem (Some OR=1.3, 95%CI[1.1,1.6], p=0.01; Much OR=1.9, 95%CI[1.4,2.6], p<0.0001). When adjusted for covariates, sleep duration and quality: simply consuming a snack at night was associated with increased diabetes risk (OR=1.7, 95%CI[1.3,2.2], p<0.0001). Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was associated with increased likelihood of junk food cravings, which when adjusted for covariates were associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. Snacks at night were also associated with increased diabetes risk.