Speaker
Description
Introduction: Previous research has shown a strong link between sleep and eating patterns. However, when considering disordered eating behaviors, such as in eating disorders, findings are less consistent. Some studies report reduced sleep quality in individuals with bulimia nervosa and, more notably, anorexia nervosa, but further research is needed to clarify these relationships.
Method: Seventy-five participants (59 female; M age = 23.4, SD = 2.2) took part in the study. We used an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) paradigm to examine within-person associations between self-reported sleep quality and eating-related worries (i.e., concerns about body shape or daily food intake). We also assessed participants’ risk for developing an eating disorder to explore whether associations were stronger in those at risk. Participants completed seven surveys per day for 14 days via the mobile application m-Path. Linear mixed-effects models were implemented in R, with a model comparisons approach based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Likelihood Ratio Test. Both methods (https://osf.io/by3qn) and analyses (https://osf.io/y8ra2) were pre-registered on OSF.
Results: Individuals at risk for eating disorders reported lower sleep quality and higher eating-related worries. However, no significant associations were found between sleep quality and eating worries in either direction, nor did risk status moderate these relationships.
These results suggest that even in the early risk phase, individuals may experience poorer sleep and heightened body- and food-related concerns. This study highlights the value of EMA in investigating these dynamics in daily life and underscores the need for further research into their underlying mechanisms.
| If you're submitting a symposium talk, what's the symposium title? | Innovative approaches to sleep and well-being: Methodological and research implications |
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| If you're submitting a symposium, or a talk that is part of a symposium, is this a junior symposium? | Yes |
