Dietary melatonin, chronotype, and night eating syndrome in relation to sleep quality among adults
Abstract
Objective: Dietary melatonin has attracted increasing interest because of its potential relevance to circadian regulation and sleep health. However, evidence regarding its relationship with chronotype, night eating behaviors, and sleep quality remains limited. This study aimed to examine the associations among estimated dietary melatonin intake, chronotype, night eating behaviors, and sleep quality in adults and to explore the cross-sectional indirect association among chronotype, night eating behaviors, and sleep quality.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Istanbul, Türkiye, between November 2024 and June 2025 and included 325 adults aged 18-65 years. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), chronotype using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and night eating behaviors using the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ). Dietary melatonin intake was estimated using a modified food frequency questionnaire based on melatonin-containing foods. Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, and an exploratory cross-sectional indirect-association analysis using PROCESS Model 4 were performed.
Results: Mean total dietary melatonin intake was 10.485 ± 13.306 μg/day. PSQI scores were positively correlated with NEQ scores (r = 0.537, p r = -0.159, p = 0.004). In the multiple linear regression model, NEQ score was positively associated with PSQI score (B = 0.198, standardized β = 0.491,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 325 participants or records.
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