Evaluation of the Relationship Between Chronotype, Sleep Quality and Adaptation to Mediterranean Diet in University Students: A Descriptive Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relations between chronotype, sleep quality, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in university students. Material and Methods: Sampling included 244 students from Türkiye university and data were collected between May 2021 and June 2021 with the general information form, the “Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire”, “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)” and “Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screen (MEDAS)” via online. Results: Two hundred forty four students, 69 (28.3%) males and 175 (71.7%) females, with a mean age of 21.8±3.3 years, were joined. The chronotype scale average of the participants was calculated to be 47.1±6.9. Their 11 (4.5%) were of the morningness-type, 172 (70.5%) were of the intermediate-type, and 61 (25.0%) were of eveningness- type. The MEDAS mean score of the students was 5.6±1.9, and 50.4% of them had low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 47.1% had medium adherence, and 2.5% had high adherence. The total PSQI score of the students was 8.7±3.8, and 77.5% of the participants had poor sleep quality. A significant correlation was found between physical activity status and the number of caffeinated beverages consumed daily according to chronotype (p<0.05). Chronotype score was negatively correlated with PSQI score (r=-0.175, p<0.01). Conclusion: It was determined that the chronotypes of the students were intermediate-type, and their sleep quality and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were low.