(P06-17-26) A Fiber-Focused Dietary Intervention Improves Sleep Quality: Secondary Outcomes From a Randomized Trial

Objectives: Research suggests fiber intake may be associated with improved sleep quality, however there is little evidence from randomized trials. The objective of this study was to examine changes in sleep quality in a three-month fiber-focused dietary intervention (Fiber for Improvement of Behavior, Eating and Risk [FIBER]) compared to standard weight loss education in a randomized trial.

Methods: Adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m² and baseline fiber intake < 25 g/day were enrolled and randomized to receive FIBER, wait-list standard weight loss education based on the Diabetes Prevention Program (WL), or a combined sequential approach (FIBER+WL). One year after enrollment, participants completed follow-up assessments, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality (lower PSQI scores = better sleep) and PSQI components (e.g., sleep latency). One-way ANOVA was used to identify differences between the three groups. Then, post-intervention PSQI total and component scores were compared between participants in FIBER alone or FIBER+WT (“FIBER”) to those in WL who did not receive FIBER (“non-FIBER”) using Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results: The analytic sample included 48 participants (FIBER: n=34; non-FIBER: n=14). No significant differences were found among the three groups per ANOVA. However, median PSQI total scores were lower in those who received FIBER compared to those in non-FIBER (5.0 [IQR 2.25–8.75] vs 8.5 [5.0–12.75]; p=0.035). Median PSQI sleep latency and subjective sleep quality component scores were significantly lower/better in FIBER participants (sleep latency: 0.0 [0.0–1.0] vs 1.5 [1.0–2.0], p=0.002; subjective sleep quality: 1.0 [1.0–1.0] vs 2.0 [1.0–2.0], p=0.015). No significant differences were observed for sleep duration, sleep disturbances, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, or sleep medication use (all p≥0.09).

Conclusions: A fiber-focused dietary intervention led to improved sleep quality, especially in terms of sleep latency and subjective sleep quality. These results suggest that fiber-related effects may be responsible for the observed improvements and call for more research into the underlying mechanisms.

Funding Sources: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust