The Influence of Sleep and Physical Performance on Food Choice and Body Mass Index of College Students

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role dietary choice plays between two relationships for college students: sleep and body mass index and sleep and physical performance. Previous research has continuously indicated that college students are receiving poor sleep, both in terms of length and quality (Buboltz et al., 2009; Lund et al., 2010). Poor sleep length and sleep quality has been found to impact diet (Grandner et al., 2010; Hicks et al., 1986; Wells & Cruess, 2006), weight and body mass index (Kathrotia et al., 2010; Roane et al., 2015; Vargas et al., 2014), mental health (Lund et al., 2010; Milojevick & Lukowski, 2016; Nyer et al., 2013; Peach et al., 2016), physical health (Lund et al., 2010; Peltzer & Pengpid, 2016; Valerio et al., 2016), and academic performance (Gilbert & Weaver, 2010; Orzech et al., 2011). Although such implications have been discussed continuously in the literature, the literature discussing causal factors of such implications is limited. Through the use of self-report measures and physical performance measures, the moderating relationship of dietary choice between sleep and physical performance and sleep and body mass index was explored.