A recent cross-sectional study examined the dietary intake, lifestyle behaviors, and sleep architecture of 50 night-shift medical residents at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) in Amman, Jordan. Participants, aged 24 to 34, were assessed for their dietary habits, physical activity levels, and overall sleep quality.
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Medical residents often face sleep disturbances associated with their demanding schedules and irregular meal patterns. This study aimed to uncover potential links between dietary factors and sleep quality, utilizing three-day food records to analyze nutrient intake, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity levels, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) alongside wearable devices to objectively measure sleep parameters.
Results indicated a positive correlation between zinc intake and deep sleep duration (r = 0.434, p = 0.010). Conversely, higher total energy, carbohydrate, and fiber intake correlated with increased nocturnal awakenings. Interestingly, frequent junk food consumption was associated with longer total sleep duration but also more time spent in light sleep.
The average age of participants was 24 years, predominantly female (66%). Most had a moderate level of physical activity (62%) and a mean PSQI score of 7.82, suggesting poor sleep quality among 66% of the group.
Notable findings revealed that while increased junk food consumption linked to longer sleep duration, it also correlated with less restorative sleep characterized by greater proportions of light sleep stages. These relationships suggest dietary habits significantly influence the sleep architecture of medical residents.
The study concludes that specific dietary components may impact sleep quality and urges further exploration of nutritional interventions as a potential strategy for improving sleep health in similar populations. However, it acknowledges limitations in the sample size and design, hindering definitive causal conclusions.