Poor sleep in one partner can affect both partners' diets, new study finds
Poor sleep is known to lead to poor diet quality. But as a new Concordia-led study of cohabiting couples shows, poor sleep can affect not only an individual's food choices but also their partner's choices. Because couples who sleep together often eat together, one partner's unhealthy food choices can have a ripple effect on the other's eating habits, the researchers say.
by Patrick Lejtenyi, Concordia University
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
The study, published in the journal Annals of Behavioural Medicine , found that poor sleep was linked to a reduced ability to stick to healthy eating goals. People who slept poorly reported making less effort to eat well and feeling less confident in their ability to maintain healthy eating habits. Partners who slept well reported similar effects.
In other words, sleep is not just an individual health issue, according to corresponding author Jean-Philippe Gouin, a professor in the Department of Psychology.