Sleep Patterns and Tryptophan Consumption among Students at Spanish Universities: The Unihcos Project
2024
María Morales-Suárez-Varela | Carmen Amezcua-Prieto | Isabel Peraita-Costa | Ramona Mateos-Campos | Carlos Ayán | Rocío Ortiz-Moncada | Tania Fernández-Villa
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore sleep patterns and the potential relationship between sleep and tryptophan intake among Spanish university students. A total of 11,485 students self-reported their sleep and dietary patterns and habits. Tryptophan intake was calculated using a food intake matrix and results were presented as quartiles of total intake. Short sleep duration prevalence was 51.0%, with males exhibiting a significantly higher frequency. A total of 55.0% of participants presented inadequate sleep efficiency, with males again presenting a higher rate. Median tryptophan intake was 692.16 ±: 246.61 mg/day, 731.84 ±: 246.86 mg/day in males and 677.24 ±: 244.87 mg/day in females (p = 0.001). Dietary tryptophan intake below the first quartile (<:526.43 mg/day) was associated with a higher risk of short sleep duration in males (1.26: 95%CI: 1.02&ndash:1.55) and females (1.19: 95%CI: 1.05&ndash:1.34) and with the Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia in males (2.56: 95%CI: 1.36&ndash:4.82) and females (1.47: 95%CI: 1.10&ndash:2.05). Regarding academic specializations, females in the humanities field showed a higher risk of Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia due to low tryptophan intake (Q1: 3.15: 95% CI: 1.04&ndash:9.55 and Q2: 3.41: 95%CI: 1.01&ndash:11.5). In summary, lower tryptophan consumption appears to be associated with poorer sleep quality in Spanish university students: however, other social factors affecting students may also influence sleep quality. These findings have important implications for nutritional recommendations aimed at enhancing tryptophan intake to improve sleep quality.
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