Concordia University study links partner sleep quality to dietary habits

A study conducted by Concordia University suggests that sleep quality in cohabiting couples significantly impacts the dietary choices of both partners. Research published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine indicates that poor sleep is correlated with a reduced ability to maintain healthy eating habits.

Researchers tracked 204 couples in Canada over three months. The findings revealed that individuals who slept poorly reported less effort in eating well and felt less confident in their ability to maintain healthy habits. Notably, the impact extended to the partner; even those who slept well reported similar difficulties with nutrition if their partner experienced poor sleep.

Jean-Philippe Gouin, a professor in the Department of Psychology, noted that partners of sleep-deprived individuals reported lower confidence in following a healthy diet. This may occur because sleep-deprived partners are more likely to expose their partners to highly palatable, high-calorie foods such as chips, chocolate, or candy.