Title: Is sleep duration related to greater fruit and vegetable intake in college students?
Objective: To assess the relationship between sleep and fruit and vegetable intake in the college-aged population.
Methods: Data collected between 2012-2020 from the College of Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS), an ongoing cross-sectional study at a public midsized northeastern university. The total cohort included 4,726 participants (65.9% female, 93.8% White). Self-reported sleep (hours/day) and fruit and vegetable intake (cups/day) were collected from an online questionnaire and a 3-day food record, respectively. Participants’ sleep were categorized into three groups, <7 hours, 7–8.9 hours, ≥ 9 hours. The relationship between sleep duration and fruit and vegetable intake was assessed through one-way ANCOVA, with gender, semester, calorie intake, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol intake as covariates.
Results: Cohort’s average nightly sleep was 8.1±1.3 hours and mean daily fruit and vegetable intake was 3.04±1.8 cups a day. Results showed lower intake of fruits and vegetables for students reporting ≥9 vs. 7–8.9 hours of sleep (2.97±0.5 vs. 3.14±.03 cups, p<0.05), however, the differences between those who report <7 vs. 7-8.9 hours of sleep were not significantly different (2.99±.08 vs 3.14±.03 cups p=.14).
Conclusion: Students with adequate sleep had modestly higher fruit and vegetable intake than other sleep groups. Results could be used to guide nutrition intervention and education in a college setting. Future studies in more diverse populations should assess the potential relationship between sleep and fruit and vegetable intake in young adults.
Funding source: The New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1010738
