Disordered eating was more consistently linked to sleep quality than duration
In non-clinical populations, eating-related concerns were associated more consistently with poor sleep and insomnia symptoms than with sleep duration. The review cannot establish which problems came first.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found recurring associations between disordered eating concerns and poorer sleep quality or more insomnia symptoms outside clinical settings. Associations with sleep duration were generally small and statistically inconclusive. The results suggest that different aspects of sleep relate differently to eating concerns, but do not show that sleep problems cause disordered eating or vice versa.
Populations and study designs varied. The authors call for more research following people over time and for validated assessments; evidence for restrictive eating and bulimia-related behaviors was particularly mixed.
Sleep quality and timing stood out
Loss-of-control eating and excessive exercise were among the concerns consistently associated with poorer sleep quality and insomnia symptoms. A preference for later sleep timing was associated with bulimia symptoms, nighttime eating and concerns about body image.
Hours slept gave a less clear answer
Sleep-duration associations were mostly small and not statistically significant. That does not establish that duration is irrelevant. The mixed findings for restrictive eating and bulimia-related behaviors also mean the overall pattern should not be applied uniformly to every eating concern.
The original publication
The Association Between Disordered Eating and Sleep in Non-Clinical Populations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Opitz MC, Trompeter N, Rabelo-da-Ponte FD et al.
J Sleep Res · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 40588443
- Record checked
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