Seasonality of sleep and food craving in Iceland

• Main Author: Vaka Halldórsdóttir 1981-
• Other Authors: Háskólinn á Akureyri
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Sálfræði; Árstíðasveiflur; Svefn; Matvæli; Psychology; Seasonality; Insomnia; Bergen; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/41987

Insufficient sleep duration and low sleep quality have been shown to be associated with health issues and socioeconomic problems. Overweight and obesity are likewise associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of people in Iceland reporting not getting the recommended amount of sleep is notable and a considerable number of Icelanders are overweight or obese. Studies have shown that seasonality can play a role in sleep and food craving. This study examined if there is a seasonal effect on the perceived sleep quality and/or on craving for sweet and rich foods and whether there is an association between sleep and craving. The Questionnaire on Craving for Sweet or Rich Foods (QCSRF) and the Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) were used to assess craving for sweet and rich foods and symptoms of insomnia. Data from 150 adults living in Iceland who had answered both questionnaires in the summer and again in the winter was assessed. The QCSRF was translated into Icelandic and validated. Two factors were identified, one assessing the intensity of craving for sweet and rich foods (QCSRF Intensity) and the other the level of self-control over eating sweet and rich foods as well as the perceived effect of eating sweet and rich foods relieving negative affect (QCSRF Relief/Control). There was no significant difference between total BIS scores in winter and summer. Around a quarter of participants reported having insomnia in both summer and winter, 14% only in the summer and 14.7% only in the winter. There is a positive and significant correlation between total BIS scores and QCSRF Intensity (p < .00625) as well between total BIS scores and QCSRF Relief/Control (p < .00625) in the winter but not in the summer. The QCSRF Intensity scores in the summer were higher than in the winter. There was no significant difference between the QCSRF Relief/Control scores in winter and summer. Further research would be needed to examine why insomnia only correlates with food craving in winter and why the intensity of ...