We don't know from this study whether diet is influencing sleep or sleep is influencing food choice, or both. But the evidence is abundant that these two pillars of health -- sleep and diet -- affect each other in a number of ways. We've seen a great deal of research that diet and weight control are strongly influenced by sleep, and that too little sleep can make eating healthfully more challenging.
Of all the dangers faced by soldiers, sleep is not likely to top many people's lists. But soldiers, like the rest of us, face risks to health and safety from poor and insufficient sleep. And new research indicates they may be at significantly elevated risk for sleep problems, and sleep-related health issues.