The assessment of the relationship between nutritional status and sleep quality in adult subjects working at Başkent University Ankara Hospital

This study was carried out to determine the relationship between eating habits and sleep quality in adult subjects working at Başkent University Ankara Hospital. The study was conducted on 80 women and 40 men total of 120 randomly selected volunteers, who are between ages of 19 and 64, healthy and non-dietary. Individuals' demographic characteristics, smoking and alcohol consuming habits, physical activity status, eating habits and working style were inquired with written questionnaire. To determine daily energy and nutrient intake, 3-day nutrient intake was recorded, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality and anthropometric measurements were taken from the individuals. The mean BMI was found 23.3±4.4 kg/m2 in women and 26±3.2 kg/m2 in men (p<0.05). The average percentage of body fat was found 26.2±8.7 in women and 19.9±4.7 in men (p<0.05). It is determined that as the age group interval increases, good sleep quality frequency also increases in the individuals (p<0.05). Sleep quality showed no significant difference according to gender, educational status, marital status, occupation, cohabitant and age of child. PSQI scores of the shift workers group was 7.90±3.56 and PSQI scores of the non-shift workers group was 5.78±3.12. Sleep quality was poor in 70.6% of those, who are shift workers, and 46.4% of those, who are non-shift workers (p<0.05). According to working period; 62.5% of the hospital personnel, who have been working less than 1 year, 73.9% of the hospital personnel, who have worked for 1-4 years, 61.1% of the hospital personnel, who have worked for 5-8 years, 54.5% of the hospital personnel, who have worked for 9-12 years, and 24.1% of the hospital personnel, who have worked for 13 years and over, have poor sleep quality (p<0.05). BMI, body fat percentage, waist/height ratio and waist circumference means did not differ significantly in both men and women (p>0.05). Average intake of riboflavin, folate and calcium in women, who have good sleep quality, and average intake of folate in men, who have good sleep quality, were significantly higher than individuals, who have poor sleep quality (p<0.05). In shift workers group, a negative correlation between PSQI scores and polyunsaturated fatty acids, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and folate was determined. There was no significant relationship found between sleep quality and alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity (p>0.05). Sleep quality was poor in 71.7% of those, who eat before bedtime, and 50.6% of those, who don't eat before bedtime (p<0.05). Sleep quality was poor in 71.9% of those, who skip meals, and 42.9% of those, who does not skip meals (p<0.05). Sleep and nutritional status have many effects on general health. For this reason, trainings should be provided to increase the sleep quality and enhance food consumption of the hospital personnel and working conditions should be improved.