Journal article
Diet and physical activity behaviours among people with insomnia symptoms: a cross-sectional survey to understand treatment needs and acceptability
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Vol.14(1), pp.1-18
2026
Abstract
Background
High adherence to a Mediterranean diet and regular moderate-intensity physical activity (≥5 days/week, ≥30 minutes/day) reduce the risk of insomnia symptom onset and maintenance, yet engagement in these behaviours among adults with insomnia symptoms and the acceptability of lifestyle support are not well understood.
Methods
Objectives: (1) characterise diet and physical activity behaviours among people with insomnia symptoms, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity guidelines (moderate-intensity physical activity on ≥5days/week for ≥30 minutes/day), as well as the regularity of these behaviours; (2) explore clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with these behaviours; and (3) investigate the acceptability of receiving support to optimise diet and physical activity as part ofin insomnia treatment. Australian adults with insomnia symptoms completed an online cross-sectional survey (n = 308; 85% female; 18–65 years). Diet and physical activity were assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), alongside the regularity of meal and activity patterns. Acceptability was measured using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM). Logistic regression explored associations with gender, age, insomnia severity, and education.
Results
Most participants reported low Mediterranean diet adherence (72%), low or -moderate activity levels (66%), did not meet physical activity guidelines (69%), and had irregular meal (71%) and activity patterns (60%). Mediterranean diet adherence was lower in men, younger adults, and those with lower education; no factors were associated with physical activity. Support was acceptable to 57% (mean AIM = 3.8/5, SD = 0.8), with higher acceptability among women and those with severe insomnia symptoms.
Conclusions
Findings provide preliminary evidence of an unmet need for interventions to support lifestyle behaviour change among those with insomnia symptoms. While support is acceptable to many, targeted approaches may be needed for subgroups with lower adherence and acceptability.
Details
- Title
- Diet and physical activity behaviours among people with insomnia symptoms: a cross-sectional survey to understand treatment needs and acceptability
- Authors
- Jacy Hyland (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Healthy Ageing Research ClusterMoira Junge - Sleep Health Foundation (Australia)Joseph J Scott - University of the Sunshine CoastDavid Cunnington - University of the Sunshine CoastMia Schaumberg - University of the Sunshine CoastMathew Summers - University of the Sunshine CoastTimothy Baird - University of the Sunshine CoastClaire M Ellender - The University of QueenslandCaitlin Fehily - University of Newcastle AustraliaEmma L Axelsson - University of Newcastle AustraliaSara Winter - Prince Charles HospitalJennifer A Bowman - University of Newcastle AustraliaHattie H Wright - University of the Sunshine CoastChristopher Askew - University of the Sunshine CoastAlexandra Metse - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Vol.14(1), pp.1-18
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1080/21642850.2026.2721023
- ISSN
- 2164-2850
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [JH]. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restrictions.
- Grant note
- University of the Sunshine Coast LAUNCH Partnership Grant
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing; School of Education and Tertiary Access; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; Education and Learning Futures Research Cluster; Thompson Institute; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991252199002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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