Münevver Gaye TAŞAR, Hülya YILMAZ ÖNAL, Fatih DİLEK, Deniz ÖZÇEKER
Trends in Pediatrics - 2026;7(2):118-128
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), sleep disturbances, and quality of life (QoL) in children with asthma. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 77 children aged 7-12 years diagnosed with physician-diagnosed, well-controlled asthma receiving low-dose controller therapy. Dietary intake was evaluated using three-day food records and the KIDMED index. Sleep quality and QoL were analyzed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), respectively. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results: Moderate adherence to the MD was observed in 49.4% of participants. Greater adherence to MD was associated with fewer arousal-related sleep disturbances (r = -0.283, p < 0.05) and and lower total sleep disturbance scores (r = -0.241, p < 0.05).. A one-point increase in KIDMED score was associated with a 0.758-point decrease in SDSC score. Higher SDSC scores were significantly associated with lower PAQLQ scores (r = -0.356, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet may reduce sleep disturbances and enhance quality of life in asthmatic children, supporting its potential role in asthma management.
