Relationships of Sleep Duration With Weight-Related Behaviors of U.S. College Students

Authors

Virginia Quick, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Suzanne Shoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Adrienne A. White, University of Maine
Barbara Lohse, Rochester Institute of Technology
Tanya Horacek, Syracuse University
Sarah Colby, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Onikia Brown, Auburn University
Tandalayo Kidd, Kansas State University
Geoffrey Greene, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-2-2016

Abstract

This study describes sleep behaviors of U.S. college students (N = 1,252; 18–24 years old; 59% female) and examines associations of sleep duration with weight-related behaviors. More than one quarter of participants slept < 7 hr/night and had mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores indicating poor sleep quality. There were significant differences for all PSQI scales among sleep duration categories, < 7 hr (n = 344), 7–8 hr (n = 449), ≥ 8 hr (n = 459) sleep/night. Compared to those who slept ≥ 8 hr, those who slept < 8 hr had significantly more negative eating attitudes (2% higher), poorer internal regulation of food (4% lower), and greater binge eating (4% higher) scores. Findings advocate for health care professionals to evaluate sleep behaviors of college students during office visits and promote good sleep behaviors.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Behavioral Sleep Medicine

Volume

14

Issue

5

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Quick, Virginia, Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Suzanne Shoff, Adrienne A. White, Barbara Lohse, Tanya Horacek, Sarah Colby, Onikia Brown, Tandalayo Kidd, and Geoffrey Greene. "Relationships of Sleep Duration With Weight-Related Behaviors of U.S. College Students." Behavioral Sleep Medicine 14, 5 (2016): 565-580. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2015.1065411.