Mindfulness and Nutrition and Exercise Behaviors in College Students: The Moderating Role of Sleep Quality
Abstract
Inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity, and poor sleep quality have become increasingly
common in college student populations, placing students at greater risk of being
overweight or obese in adulthood. Researchers have adopted the construct of
mindfulness to better understand and potentially modify health behavior. The purpose of
the present investigation was to examine the relationships between mindfulness and
health behaviors (i.e., nutrition and exercise) in undergraduate college students. Sleep
quality was tested as a moderator of these relationships. The current study also explored
the unique influence of each of the five facets of mindfulness (i.e., observing, describing,
acting with awareness, nonreactivity to inner experience, and nonjudging of inner
experience) on college students’ nutrition and exercise behavior. The sample consisted
of 357 undergraduates from colleges throughout the United States who completed online
surveys. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that sleep quality
moderated the relationship between mindfulness and nutrition behavior with an
enhancing effect. However, moderating effects for the mindfulness-exercise behavior
relationship did not hold. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses also revealed the
Observe facet of mindfulness to be most predictive of nutrition behavior, whereas the
Observe and Describe facets were most predictive of exercise behavior. The present
findings highlight that enhancing mindfulness and improving sleep hygiene may be
particularly beneficial in elevating health-promoting behavior in undergraduate college
students. Limitations, future directions, and implications are discussed.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Review of the literature -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix A. Five facet mindfulness questionnaire -- Appendix B. Health promotion lifestyle profile-II - Nutrition -- Appendix C. Health promotion lifestyle profile-II - physical activity -- Appendix D. Sleep quality index -- Appendix E. Perceived stress scale -- Appendix F. Demographic questionnaire -- Appendix G. IRB approval -- Appendix H. Solicitation email for participants -- Appendix I. Solicitation email for participants -- Appendix J. Cover letter accompanying online survey -- Appendix K. Online incentive form
Degree
Ph.D.