Selective eating behavior in preschool children was associated with poor sleep habits, and tryptophan intake at breakfast partially mediated the relationship between selective eating behavior and later bedtimes (proportion mediated=13.6%).
Children with selective eating behavior had later bedtimes compared to non-selective eaters.
Children with selective eating behavior had later wake-up times than non-selective eaters.
Children with selective eating behavior had a later midpoint of sleep than non-selective eaters.
Children with selective eating behavior had shorter total sleep duration than non-selective eaters.
Children with selective eating behavior had lower breakfast tryptophan intake (Trp index) than non-selective eaters.
Breakfast tryptophan intake partially mediated the relationship between selective eating behavior and bedtime.
Problematic mealtime behaviors assessed in the study included multiple domains beyond selective eating.
This research suggests that picky or selective eating in preschool-aged children (ages 3-6) is linked to worse sleep habits, including going to bed later, waking up later, having a later overall sleep schedule, and sleeping fewer total hours. The study followed 283 children and compared those identified as selective eaters (162 children) to those who were not (121 children), finding consistent differences in sleep timing across all measures. One reason selective eating may contribute to later bedtimes appears to be that picky eaters tend to consume less tryptophan at breakfast. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in many foods that the body uses to produce melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. The study found that lower breakfast tryptophan intake explained about 13.6% of the connection between selective eating and later bedtimes, meaning tryptophan is one piece of the puzzle but not the whole story. This research suggests that the foods children eat — particularly at breakfast — may play a role in shaping their sleep patterns. Selective eating that limits tryptophan-rich foods could be one pathway through which diet affects when children fall asleep. However, since tryptophan only accounted for a modest portion of the relationship, other factors related to selective eating likely also contribute to delayed sleep in young children.
Sakane N, Kawaguchi Y, Somei J, Suganuma A, Domichi M. (2026). Selective Eating Behavior and Delayed Bedtime in Children Aged 3-6 Years: The Mediating Role of Breakfast Tryptophan Intake.. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.72.62