Short Oral Presentation Nutrition Society of Australia 50th Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Associations between sleep health and diet quality and dietary intake during pregnancy: evidence from two Australian cohorts. (146956)

Genette Li Hui Chua 1 , Mitch J. Duncan 2 3 , Clare E. Collins 1 4 , Rachael M. Taylor 1 4 , June Ooi 1 4 , Craig Pennell 2 5 6 , Tegan Grace 2 6 , Poonam Pannu 7 8 , Sasha Fenton 1 4
  1. School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Medicine and Public Health; College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  3. Centre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  4. Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  5. Maternity and Gynaecology Department, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  6. Mothers and Babies Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  7. The Kids Research Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  8. Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia

Poor sleep and suboptimal diet are common during pregnancy and contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Although associations between sleep and diet are documented in the general population, evidence during pregnancy remains limited (1). This study investigated associations between sleep quality and duration and diet quality and dietary intake among Australian pregnant women. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from two contemporary Australian pregnancy cohorts: the Newcastle1000 Study and ORIGINS (combined n = 1070). Women provided data at 18-20 weeks gestation, between 2017 and 2024. Sleep quality and duration were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Dietary intake and diet quality were measured using the Australian Eating Survey and Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Generalised linear models examined associations between sleep quality (continuous PSQI global score) and sleep duration (<7 h, 7-9 h, >9 h) and dietary variables. Models were adjusted for age, income, pre-pregnancy BMI, mental health, and physical activity. Participants were aged 32.3 ± 4.3 years; had a pre-pregnancy BMI 25.9 ± 5.7 kg/m2, and 95.3% were English-speaking. Most participants reported poor sleep quality (72.9%; mean PSQI global score 6.4 ± 2.8) and suboptimal diet quality (ARFS 35.5 ± 8.9). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher saturated fat intake (Exp(β) = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.000, 1.008, p = 0.046). Short sleep duration (<7 hours) was associated with lower diet quality (β = −2.60, 95% CI: −3.95, −1.25, p < 0.001) and lower fibre intake (Exp(β) = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.900, 0.992, p = 0.022). No other significant associations were observed in the adjusted models. In conclusion, poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were associated with less favourable dietary patterns during pregnancy, including higher saturated fat and lower fibre intake. These findings highlight the need for further research to inform integrated interventions that consider sleep quality and duration alongside strategies to support healthier eating patterns and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

  1. von Ash, T., Sanapo, L., Bublitz, M. H., Bourjeily, G., Salisbury, A., Petrillo, S., & Risica, P. M. (2023). Nutrients, 15(9).