Higher HEI-2015 Scores Are Associated with Lower Risk of Sleep Disorder: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey of United States Adults

Whether there is an association between dietary quality and sleep disorder in American adults is unclear. We conducted this study to analyze whether dietary quality, using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores as the measure, was associated with self-reported sleep disorders. Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2014). Step-weighted logistic regression models were performed to explore the relationships between the HEI-2015 scores and sleep disorder. Weighted quantile sum regression model was used to identify the HEI-2015 components most strongly associated with sleep disorders. According to quartiles, HEI scores were categorized into inadequate (<25%), average (25%–75%), and optimal (>75%). Compared to inadequate HEI status, average HEI status (OR: 0.961, 95%CI: 0.959–0.962) and optimal HEI status (OR: 0.913, 95% CI: 0.912–0.915) were associated with reduced risk of sleep disorder after multivariable adjustments. Greens and beans, added sugars, saturated fats, total vegetables and total protein foods were the top five important components for sleep disorders. Our results suggest that there is a statistically significant association between better dietary quality and reduced risk of sleep disorder among United States adults.