Adult studies show that healthy diet patterns relate to better sleep. However, evidence during adolescence, when sleep may change dramatically, is lacking. Within a cohort of 458 Mexican adolescents, we examined whether consumption of three dietary patterns was associated with sleep duration and timing measured 2 years later, as well as changes in sleep timing and duration. Dietary patterns (identified a posteriori in a prior analysis) were assessed with a baseline food frequency questionnaire, and sleep was measured with wrist actigraphy at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression analyses adjusting for sex, age, screen time, and smoking were conducted. Adolescents with higher consumption of a Plant-Based and Lean Proteins pattern had earlier sleep timing (-0.45 h with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) -0.81, -0.08 in the highest compared to lowest quartiles), less of a phase delay in sleep timing over follow-up (-0.39 h with 95% CI -0.80, 0.02), and shorter weekend sleep duration (0.5 h with 95% CI -0.88, -0.1). Higher consumption of an Eggs, Milk and Refined Grain pattern was associated with earlier sleep timing (-0.40 h with 95% CI -0.77, -0.04), while consumption of a Meat and Starchy pattern was related to higher social jetlag (weekend-weekday sleep timing difference). Healthier diet patterns may promote better sleep in adolescents.
Keywords: circadian; fruits; lean proteins; sleep health; vegetables.