آنیتا آوانی

Background and Sleep plays a major role in maintaining health and improving academic performance and behavior in adolescents. Studies on the relationship between diet and sleep quality are not consistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep quality and consumption of macronutrients and micronutrients in adolescents.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 319 individuals (10-18 years of age) selected by multistage random cluster sampling in Minoodar district, Qazvin, Iran 2010-2011. Dietary pattern was assessed using food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and information on food intake was obtained using Nutrition 4, Version 3.5.2. Sleep quality was assessed by BEARS questionnaire. Data analysis was performed applying T-test.
The research population included 162 (50.8%) females. The mean age of the participants was 15±2.43 years. Amon the cases studied 302 were found with low-quality sleep. There was no significant relationship between sleep quality and calorie, and intake of micronutrients and macronutrient (P>0.05). The mean intake of omega-3 fatty acids in subjects with good-quality sleep was higher than that in the subjects with low-quality sleep (P≤0.05).
Appropriate intake of omega-3 fatty acid was associated with high-quality sleep. There was no relationship between sleep quality and consumption of micronutrients and macronutrients.

Sleeping is the most important circadian rhythms and one of the fundamental human needs. Approximately, one third of one's life is spent in the sleep. Insufficient sleep has been widespread in the modern society and a large number of people are suffering from it. People with sleep disorders in addition to fatigue are experiencing the defect in cell regeneration, difficulty in thinking, learning and memory, increased stress and reduced the daily performance on behavior. In most cases, disruption in the sleep cycle is an early symptom in the various diseases. Several studies have shown that the sleep disorders are associated with the incidence and intensifying of diseases, and the improvement of sleep quality in different ages, especially in the adulthood, helps them to avoid the risk of chronic diseases during life. According to evidence and the impressive impact of sleep on health and quality of people’s life and also reducing the quality and quantity of sleep in the modern society, this study examines the importance of sleep and its effect on health, especially the role of sleep in the prevention of metabolic diseases.

Insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality affect learning, memory and performance and cause behavioral disorders. Watching television (TV), using computer and internet, playing computer games, and caffeine intake are of factors affecting sleep quality. The aim of this study was to determine the association of sleep quality with watching TV, computer games and caffeine intake in adolescents of Minoodar district, Qazvin. This cross sectional study was conducted in 319 adolescents (10 to 18 years old) that were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method during 2010-2011. Demographic data and data on duration of playing computer games and watching TV were collected. Food frequency questionnaire and BEARS questionnaire were completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, logistic regression analysis and ANOVA. Mean age was15±2.43 years. Of 319 adolescents, 162 (50.8%) were female. The duration of watching TV or video was not significantly different between boys and girls. The duration of playing computer or video games was statistically different between boys and girls. There was no correlation between sleep quality and duration of watching TV or videos in a day, duration of playing computer or video games in a day, and caffeine intake in adolescents. With regards to the results, it seems that there is no association between sleep quality and watching TV, playing computer games and caffeine intake.