Evaluating the associations of consumption of non-red meat protein sources and flavor preferences on sleeping patterns among older adults in China

Association of the Korean Healthy Eating Index and sleep duration with prediabetes in middle-aged adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Sleep duration and diet quality are reportedly associated with the risk of diabetes. This study aimed to examine the risk of diabetes according to sleep duration and diet quality in middle-aged Koreans.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2020, raw data from 2,934 participants aged 40-64 yrs (1,090 men and 1,844 women) who were not diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were analyzed. With a sleep duration of 7-7.9 h per night as the referent category, diet quality was assessed using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), which comprises adequacy, moderation, and energy balance.

RESULTS

The study results showed that individuals with a short sleep duration had significantly higher blood glucose (P = 0.034) and HbA1c levels (P < 0.001) than those had by individuals with a sleep duration of 7-7.9 h. Within the group with a sleep duration of 7-7.9 h, the lowest quintile of the KHEI score had a significantly higher risk of prediabetes than that had by the highest quintile of the KHEI score (Model 1: odds ratio [OR], 1.775; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.072-2.939; P < 0.05 and Model 2: OR, 1.731; 95% CI, 1.040-2.882; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that achieving the sleep duration of 7-7.9 h and eating good diet are associated with the lowest risk of prediabetes. We recommend that the results of this study be used to educate adults aged 40-64 yrs on diet and lifestyle habits to prevent diabetes.

Symptoms of sleep problems and adherence to dietary guidelines in older women: evidence from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

OBJECTIVE

This study examined adherence to dietary guidelines and symptoms of sleep problems (e.g. taking a long time to fall sleep or waking up early) and their associations in a sample of older Australian women (68-73 years of age).

DESIGN

This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Adherence to the dietary guidelines was measured using a validated FFQ and reported as a diet quality score. Symptoms of sleep problems were measured using five questions and a total score was derived. Multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the association between these outcomes, adjusted for the potential confounding influence of demographic (i.e. age and marital status) and lifestyle (i.e. physical activity, stress, alcohol intake, sleep medication use) variables.

SETTING

Respondents from the 1946-1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health who completed Survey 9 were included.

PARTICIPANTS

Data from n 7956 older women (mean age ± sd: 70·8 ± 1·5) were included.

RESULTS

70·2 % reported having at least one symptom and 20·5 % had between 3 and 5 symptoms of sleep problems (mean score ± sd: 1·4 ± 1·4, range 0-5). Adherence to dietary guidelines was poor with an average diet quality score of 56·9 ± 10·7 (range 0-100). Better adherence to dietary guidelines was associated with fewer sleep problem symptoms (β: -0·065, 95 % CI: -0·012, -0·005) and remained significant after adjusting for confounding influences.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the evidence that adherence to dietary guidelines is associated with symptoms of sleep problems in older women.

A 10-year Trend of Sleeping Patterns, Geographical, and Community Disparities Among Chinese Older Adults

This study examined the trend and geographical/community disparities of sleeping patterns among Chinese older adults. We included older adults from four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS; n = 25,672; age ≥65). We used a multivariable logistic regression model to examine sleep quality (not good versus good), and a multinomial logistic regression model to assess daily sleep duration (7–8 hr, <7 hr, >8 hr). Older adults from the Central/South and the West regions were less likely to report good sleep quality (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = .63, 95% CI: .55, .72 and AOR = .80, 95% CI: .70, .93, respectively) while the Northeastern residents reported better sleep quality (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.79), compared with Northern residents. Older adults from Central/South and West were more likely to obtain less than 7 hr of sleep. Public health interventions are necessary to improve the sleep of Chinese older adults.

The Relationship Between Diet and Sleep in Older Adults: a Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Older adults more frequently experience reduced sleep quality and quantity compared to younger adults. Diet is one modifiable lifestyle factor that may influence sleep outcomes in older adults. The purpose of this review is to synthesise the current literature investigating the impact of diet, including foods and nutrients, on the sleep quality and quantity of older adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

Overall, the observational and intervention studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, and the consumption of certain food items (e.g. milk), and nutrients (e.g. vitamin D and vitamin E) may influence (improve or reduce) sleep quality and quantity. This review describes the potential efficacy for dietary factors to improve sleep outcomes in older adults. However, given the heterogeneity of included studies in this review (i.e. aims, methodologies, and outcomes assessed), it is difficult to consolidate the available evidence to make specific recommendations. More targeted research exploring the relationship between diet and sleep in older adults is needed to strengthen the current evidence base.

Socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with status change of sleep quality and duration among Chinese older adults

China has faced challenges related to the rapid growth of its ageing population, and sleep is one of the public health challenges to this demographic group. This study examines the socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with status change of sleeping patterns among Chinese older adults, using longitudinal data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Socio-demographic factors were selected from the 2012 wave of the CLHLS to examine the sleep status change in the 2014 wave. Multivariable logistic and multinomial regressions were used to study older adults’ changes of sleep quality and daily sleep duration. Older adults, 65 years old or above, were selected as study participants. A higher level of education was negatively associated with poor sleep quality and longer sleep duration (>8 hours). Increasing age was positively associated with both shorter and longer sleep duration. Being female was negatively associated with longer sleep duration. However, exercise status, smoking behaviour and alcohol use all were neither positively nor negatively associated with status change of sleeping patterns. Participants’ education, age and gender might be important factors associated with sleep status change. However, the effects of behavioural factors should be studied further. Policy implications and further research directions are discussed based on empirical results.

Associations of dietary habits and sleep in older adults: a 9-year follow-up cohort study

PURPOSE

China has faced rapid growth of its older adult population, shifting dietary landscape, and sleep-related problems. However, knowledge regarding the associations of dietary behavior on sleep-related outcomes with longitudinal data remains limited. This study investigates the relationships of dietary habits with sleep quality and duration.

METHODS

Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS), older adults were included in the 9-year span between 2005 and 2014 (age ≥ 60; n = 62,552). Self-reported dietary habits, sleep quality, and sleep duration (hours) were assessed. Four types of dietary behaviors were identified: vegetables, fruits, egg, and meat. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the potential association between dietary habits and sleep status. The outcomes were self-reported sleep quality and sufficient sleep duration (7-8 h daily).

RESULTS

In the study sample, the median age was 87 years old, and approximately 57.2% of the study participants were female. More than 60% of the older adult population had good quality sleep, and almost 40% of participants slept 7-8 h a day. In the fully adjusted Cox models, daily fruits, meat, and egg consumption were positively associated with sleep quality (all p < 0.05). Compared with participants who rarely consumed or did not consume vegetables, more frequent consumption was positively associated with sufficient sleep duration (all p < 0.0001) but was not associated with sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

Older adults should be aware that sleep quality and duration might be related to their dietary habits.

Living Arrangements and Sleep-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in China

It has been discussed previously that older adults’ living arrangements are associated with mortality. This study investigated the relationships between older adults’ living arrangements and sleep-related outcomes in China. The nationally representative sample included 4,731 participants who participated on two different occasions, with a total of 9,462 observations (2012 and 2014 waves). Panel logistic regression and panel ordinary least squares regression models were estimated with outcomes of sleep quality and average hours of sleep daily, respectively. Approximately 62% of individuals reported good quality of sleep. We observed that older adults who lived with family members had 17% greater odds of reporting good quality of sleep (adjusted odds ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 1.34], p < .05) and reported longer sleep duration daily (β = .334, standard error = .069, p < .01), compared with those who lived alone. Social support is needed to strengthen the residential relationship, especially with family members.