Association of abnormal eating behavior with sleep quality and well being of young female students (18–23 years)

Abstract Abnormal eating habits among young female students were associated with sedentary life-styles and circadian-rhythm disruption, contributing to impaired sleep quality, reduced cognitive performance, and menstrual irregularities. This study evaluated the associations between abnormal eating behaviors, sleep quality, cognitive performance and menstrual health with consideration of screen exposure among 245 female students aged 18–23 years. Assessment included physiological parameters, screen exposure duration, sleep quality, cognitive performance and menstrual health. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc comparison, Generalized Linear Models, effect size estimation, and ordinal logistic regression. Based on Eating Attitudes Test-40 scores, 50.4% subjects fell into Healthy Eating Group (HEG), 36.8% At-Risk Group (ARG) and 12.8% and Eating Disorder Group (EDG). Extended screen exposure duration associated with shorter sleep on workdays (R = 0.457) and free days (R = 0.370). Abnormal eating behavior was positively correlated with anthropometric measures, VO₂max, and reaction time. Reaction time was significantly slower in (EDG) (B = 0.96, p = 0.004). Both (ARG) and (EDG) had higher odds of menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea (OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.23–0.50] and OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.62–3.35], p < 0.001). These findings indicated significant associations between abnormal eating behaviors, increased adiposity, circadian rhythm disruption, sleep quality, impaired psychomotor performance, and compromised menstrual health, emphasizing the need for interventions promoting healthy diet, physical activity, and screen-time reduction.