Author Identifier (ORCID)
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.
Keywords
Acceptability, behavioural sleep interventions, insomnia, Mediterranean diet, physical activity
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Article Number
2721023
E-ISSN
21642850
Volume
14
Issue
1
Publication Title
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Education
Funding Information
This work was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship (https://doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220), and a University of the Sunshine Coast LAUNCH Partnership Grant.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hyland, J., Junge, M., Scott, J. J., Cunnington, D., Schaumberg, M. A., Summers, M. J., Baird, T., Ellender, C. M., Fehily, C., Axelsson, E., Winter, S., Bowman, J., Wright, H. H., Askew, C. D., & Metse, A. P. (2026). 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, 14(1), Article 2721023. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2026.2721023