Sep 5, 2026
2:00 PM12:00 PM
ePoster display
LB064 - THE MEDIATING ROLES OF HEDONIC HUNGER AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRONOTYPE AND SLEEP QUALITY AMONG SHIFT-WORKING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
LB064
THE MEDIATING ROLES OF HEDONIC HUNGER AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRONOTYPE AND SLEEP QUALITY AMONG SHIFT-WORKING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
A. S. ÇAKIR1,2,*, F. DENİZLİ1, N. İNANÇ2
1Health Management, Kayseri University, 2Nutrition and Dietetics, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri, Türkiye
Rationale: Circadian rhythm disruption is common among shift workers and may adversely affect sleep quality and eating behavior. However, the mechanisms linking evening chronotype to sleep quality, particularly through hedonic hunger and physical activity, remain insufficiently understood.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 371 healthcare professionals working in Kayseri, Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire, the Power of Food Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form. Correlation, regression, and bootstrap mediation analyses were performed.
Results: Power of Food was positively associated with poor sleep quality (r=.264, p<0.01) and evening chronotype (r=.215, p<0.01), and negatively associated with physical activity (r=-.304, p<0.01). Evening chronotype significantly predicted poorer sleep quality (β=.217, p<0.01), higher Power of Food scores (β=.215, p<0.01), and lower physical activity (β=-.189, p<0.01). Bootstrap analyses showed significant indirect effects of chronotype on sleep quality through Power of Food (b=0.0585, 95% CI [0.0345, 0.0825]) and physical activity (b=0.0444, 95% CI [0.0248, 0.0652]), supporting a partial parallel mediation model.
Conclusion: Evening chronotype was associated with poorer sleep quality among shift-working healthcare professionals. This association was partially mediated by greater hedonic hunger and lower physical activity. Nutritional and lifestyle-based strategies targeting hedonic eating and physical activity may help improve sleep-related outcomes in this population.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared