Sugar-sweetened beverages and poor sleep quality in adults from resource-limited settings in Peru

Introduction: To describe the association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and sleep patterns (sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep difficulties) among adults in a resource constrained setting. Methods: A secondary analysis of a population-based study, conducted in northern Peru, was performed. SSBs consumption was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; whereas daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth scale, and self-reported sleep difficulties were also included. Associations were evaluated with multivariable Poisson regression analyses, reporting prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Data from 1603 adults, mean age 48.2 (standard deviation [SD]: 10.6) years, and 50.3% females, were analysed. A total of 17.9% reported the consumption of soda at least once a week, whereas only 10.2% reported the consumption of sugar-added juice. The prevalence of poor sleep quality, sleep difficulties and daytime sleepiness was 19.4%, 38.6%, and 6.5%, respectively. The consumption of soda was found to be associated with poor sleep quality (PR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.05 – 1.70) and daytime sleepiness (PR = 1.56; 95%CI: 1.02 – 2.37), whereas consumption of sugar-added juice was only associated with self-reported sleep difficulties (PR = 1.29; 95%CI: 1.08 – 1.55). Conclusions: Soda consumption only but not sugar-added juice consumption was associated with a greater prevalence of poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Sugar-added juice consumption was associated with self-reported sleep difficulties. There is a need to better understand the role of sugar-sweetened beverages on sleep patterns and health.