Background: This study examined the association between specific unhealthy eating behaviors and sleep quality among university students. Understanding how dietary habits affect sleep during significant lifestyle transitions associated with university experience can inform health promotion strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-reported questionnaire to assess eating behaviors, timing of meals, and sleep-related behavior among a sample of international university students. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. Statistical analyses were used to assess the relationship between eating patterns, overall sleep quality, and its components. Results: More than half of the students had poor sleep quality (51.7%). Daytime dysfunction was significantly more common in females than in males (27.9% vs. 8.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conversely, poor sleep efficiency was more prevalent among males than females (27.5% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, compared to students who did not frequently consume heavy evening meals, those who did were more likely to experience poor sleep quality (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.575–4.731). Similarly, those who frequently substitute snacks for main meals were more likely to experience poor sleep quality than those who did not (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.465–4.895). Finally, students who ate within three hours of bedtime had higher odds of poor sleep quality compared to those who had their last meal more than three hours before bedtime (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.173–3.629). Conclusions: Unhealthy dietary habits, such as consuming heavy evening meals, substituting snacks for main meals, and having a short meal-to-bedtime interval, were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Interventions promoting healthier dietary patterns and appropriate meal timing could help improve sleep in this population.

Background: This study examined the impact of specific unhealthy eating behaviors on sleep quality (SQ) among university students. Understanding how dietary habits affect sleep during the significant lifestyle transitions that students experience during university life can inform health promotion strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among international university students using a self-administered questionnaire assessing dietary habits, meal timing, and sleep-related behaviors. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to assess sleep quality. Statistical analyses were performed to examine the relationship between eating patterns and overall sleep quality and its components. Results: More than half of the 385 students (51.7%) had poor sleep quality, as defined by the PSQI criteria. Daytime dysfunction was significantly more common among females than males (27.9% vs. 8.3%, respectively; p<0.001). Conversely, poor sleep efficiency was more prevalent among males than females (27.5% vs. 15.8%; p=0.008). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, compared to students who did not frequently consume heavy evening meals, those who did were more likely to experience poor sleep quality (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.575-4.731). Similarly, those who frequently replaced regular meals with snacks were more likely to experience poor sleep quality than those who did not (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.465-4.895). Finally, students who ate within three hours of bedtime had higher odds of poor sleep quality compared to those who had their last meal more than three hours before bedtime (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.173-3.629). Conclusion: Unhealthy dietary habits, such as consuming heavy evening meals, replacing meals with snacks, and a short meal-to-bedtime interval are significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Interventions promoting healthier dietary patterns and appropriate meal timing could help improve sleep and overall well-being in this population.

High level of stress experienced by medical students can negatively impact their immune and metabolic health, which potentially increases the risk of chronic stress-related illness. Evidence supports that yoga has a significant effects on physiological health in various populations; however impact of yoga intervention among medical student during high stress periods like close to examinations, are limited. The current Exploratory study aims to analyse the effect of a 10-week yoga intervention on the immune markers, and metabolic parameters among medical students. Thirty-seven medical students mean age of 21.84 ± 2.67 years and a BMI of 22.56 ± 3.85 kg/m2, of which 81.1% were female in a 10-week yoga intervention at the University of Pécs, Hungary. Standard laboratory procedures were followed during the collection of fasting blood samples from the participants. After the 10 weeks of yoga intervention, Immunoglobulin A level significantly increased with a strong effect size (p < 0.001, r=-0.702), and HDL significantly increased (p = 0.005, cohen’s d -0.474) as well. There were no significant change observed in Total Cholesterol level (p = 0.554, cohen’s d 0.101), Triglycerides level (TGC) (p = 0.298, effect size r -0.176), LDL (p = 0.14, cohen’s d -0.251), and non-HDL level (p = 0.214, cohen’s d 0.214). Biochemical parameters are reported as follows: lipid profile values (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol) in mmol/L, and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in g/L. It is important to note that while interpreting the result that post data was collected during the examination period, which is a known stressor, that possibly influenced the results. To enhance the validity of results, it is recommended that future studies focus on a longer intervention frequency and a larger sample size. Trial Registration: (2024-10-28) NCT06661603.