Dietary Patterns in Relation to Prospective Sleep Duration and Timing among Mexico City Adolescents

Abstract

Adult studies show that healthy diet patterns relate to better sleep. However, evidence during adolescence, when sleep may change dramatically, is lacking. Within a cohort of 458 Mexican adolescents, we examined whether consumption of three dietary patterns was associated with sleep duration and timing measured 2 years later, as well as changes in sleep timing and duration. Dietary patterns (identified a posteriori in a prior analysis) were assessed with a baseline food frequency questionnaire, and sleep was measured with wrist actigraphy at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression analyses adjusting for sex, age, screen time, and smoking were conducted. Adolescents with higher consumption of a Plant-Based and Lean Proteins pattern had earlier sleep timing (−0.45 h with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) −0.81, −0.08 in the highest compared to lowest quartiles), less of a phase delay in sleep timing over follow-up (−0.39 h with 95% CI −0.80, 0.02), and shorter weekend sleep duration (0.5 h with 95% CI −0.88, −0.1). Higher consumption of an Eggs, Milk and Refined Grain pattern was associated with earlier sleep timing (−0.40 h with 95% CI −0.77, −0.04), while consumption of a Meat and Starchy pattern was related to higher social jetlag (weekend–weekday sleep timing difference). Healthier diet patterns may promote better sleep in adolescents.

Keywords

• fruits
• vegetables
• lean proteins
• sleep health
• circadian