Relationship between hedonic hunger and subjectively assessed sleep quality and perceived stress among university students: A cross-sectional study
Narmin K. Abdulla,
Reyad R. Obaid,
Mariam N. Qureshi,
Amna A. Asraiti,
Maryam A. Janahi,
Salma J. Abu Qiyas,
MoezAlIslam E. Faris
Affiliations
Narmin K. Abdulla
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services Hospital, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Riffa, Bahrain
Reyad R. Obaid
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Mariam N. Qureshi
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Amna A. Asraiti
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Maryam A. Janahi
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Salma J. Abu Qiyas
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
MoezAlIslam E. Faris
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Corresponding author.
Purpose: This study examined the relationship between hedonic hunger (HH), sleep quality, and stress levels among university students in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Methods: We used a cross-sectional design with participants (N = 565) recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected with a self-administered, standardized, and validated online questionnaire. HH was assessed with the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS) and Power of Food Scale (PFS), sleep quality and sleep components were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), stress was evaluated with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and physical activity was examined with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to assess the relationship between HH and sleep quality and perceived stress. Results: There were positive associations between total PSQI scores and total PEMS (β = 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.25, P = 0.001) and PFS (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.45–1.04, P < 0.001). The likelihood of poor sleep quality increased by 8% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, P = 0.020) and 43% (OR = 1.43, P < 0.001) for each one-unit increase in PEMS and PFS scores, respectively. We also found positive associations between PSS scores and total PEMS (β = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.26–0.63, P < 0.001) and PFS (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 1.04–2.22, P < 0.001) scores. Conclusion: Reducing HH and stress levels may help to enhance sleep quality among university students. Conversely, improving sleep quality and reducing stress levels could improve HH in this population.
