Dietary pattern index and sleep disturbances: findings from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances have become an increasingly prevalent public health concern, with higher incidence rates observed among individuals with chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Data from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) underscore the rising prevalence of sleep disorders, which are associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and immune dysfunction.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from 2,964 participants in the NHANES 2011–2014 dataset. Four dietary indices—Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean Diet Index (MED), and Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015)—were computed using the “dietaryindex” R package. Binary logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and restricted cubic spline regression (RCS) were employed to examine the relationships between these dietary patterns and sleep disturbances, while adjusting for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

The analysis indicated that higher DII scores, reflective of a less favorable dietary pattern, were associated with increased sleep disturbances; however, this association did not attain statistical significance after adjusting for confounders. Conversely, lower HEI-2015 and MED scores were significantly associated with poorer sleep outcomes. Specifically, higher HEI-2015 and MED scores were linked to a 24% and 25% decrease in the likelihood of experiencing favorable sleep outcomes, respectively. Healthy dietary patterns characterized by increased fiber intake, reduced sodium, and lower fat content were associated with improved sleep quality, potentially through mechanisms involving enhanced metabolic function.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that dietary interventions aimed at improving dietary quality—specifically through the reduction of fat and salt intake, and the enhancement of fiber and vegetable consumption—may alleviate sleep disturbances. While the association between the DII and sleep disturbances was not statistically significant, the results highlight the importance of implementing targeted dietary strategies for individuals exhibiting higher DII scores. Future research involving larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is warranted to further elucidate the causal relationships between diet and sleep quality.