Title:

Fiber Intake and Sleep Duration Among College Students

Does fiber intake relate to sleep duration in college students? Objectives Fiber is positively related to health in many ways, including our sleep patterns. The objective of this study is to examine sleep duration according to fiber intake in a college population. Methods Between fall 2005-2022, data was collected from an ongoing cross-sectional study at Northeastern University. Students enrolled in an introductory nutrition course were recruited and trained to record their dietary intake for 3 non-consecutive days, including one weekend day. Fiber intake was measured via diet analysis software (Diet & Wellness Plus+). An online survey (Qualtrics) collected data related to reported health behaviors, including their bed and wake time. Participants were divided into groups according to adequate intake (AI) of fiber (>38g for men, >25g for women). Bed and wake times were used to calculate duration of sleep (hrs/day) and categorized into 3 groups (< 7 hrs, > 7 hrs and < 9 hrs, and > 9 hrs/day). In the sample, (n=4609) differences in the sleep duration group were compared between fiber groups via chi square. Results Most (81.5%) participants did not meet the recommendations for fiber; 11.8% reported sleeping < 7 hrs/day, 55.9% slept between 7-9 hrs/day, and 32.3% slept ≥ 9 hrs/day. Students consuming at least the AI of fiber were the most likely to sleep > 7 hrs and < 9 hrs/day (18.6%). Sleeping > 9 hrs/day had a greater percentage (16.2%) of students meet the AI of fiber compared to the students who sleep < 7 hrs/day (15.5%). There was no statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusions Students sleeping > 7 hrs and < 9 hrs/day were observed to have the highest percentage of students consuming adequate levels of fiber. These results, although statistically insignificant when compared to sleep duration, show most college students have a low fiber intake. Funding Sources New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food Agriculture Hatch Project 1020738.

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