scholarly journals The association between diet and mental health and wellbeing in young adults within a biopsychosocial framework

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252358
Author(s):  
Verena Rossa-Roccor ◽  
Chris G. Richardson ◽  
Rachel A. Murphy ◽  
Anne M. Gadermann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Component ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Diet Preference

Objective Predominantly plant-based diets can co-benefit human physical health and the planet. Young adults appear to be on the forefront of the shift to plant-based diets. However, little is known about the relationship between plant-based diets and mental health in this population even though mental health disorders contribute substantially to the global burden of disease, particularly among this age group. Design In this cross-sectional study we utilize a biopsychosocial framework to assess the association between dietary intake and mental health and wellbeing. Mental health was assessed using self-reported measures of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9) and quality of life (single-item). Dietary intake in the prior month was assessed using a dietary screener (DSQ) and participants were asked to self-identify a diet preference (e.g., vegan). Setting and participants 339 university undergraduate students. Results A principal component analysis of dietary intake found three dominant dietary patterns (plant-based, animal-based, and ‘junk foods’); 28.1% (n = 95) of participants self-identified as pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, other. The association between dietary patterns, diet preference and mental health was assessed through regression analysis. After controlling for covariables, we found a significant positive association between the junk food component and depression (z-score β = .21, p≤.001; adj. R2 = .39) and anxiety (z-score β = .14; p≤.001; adj. R2 = .32) while no association was found between plant-based, animal-based or self-identified diet preference and the mental health measures. Conclusions We did not find a negative association between predominantly plant-based diet patterns and mental health and wellbeing. It is important to consider dietary composition and to conceptualize diet as a health behaviour that is embedded in a biopsychosocial framework.

scholarly journals Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Higher Adiposity Among U.S. Schoolchildren Ages 10–15 Years (OR02-05-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Au ◽  
Sonya Zhu ◽  
Lorrene Ritchie ◽  
Lilly Nhan ◽  
Barbara Laraia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Abstract Objectives This study assesses the relationship between household food insecurity and adiposity, measured as BMI-for-age z-score (BMI-z), overweight/obesity, and waist circumference, as well as dietary intake and diet-related behaviors in US children. Methods A total of 5138 US schoolchildren ages 4–15 years from 130 communities in the cross-sectional Healthy Communities Study were included in this analysis. Household food insecurity was self-reported using a validated 2-item screener. Dietary intake was assessed using National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ), a 26-item food frequency questionnaire, and dietary behaviors were assessed during a household survey. Data were analyzed using multilevel statistical models, including interaction tests for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results Food insecure children had a BMI z-score of 0.14 higher (95% CI: 0.06, 0.21) and a waist circumference of 0.91 cm higher (95% CI: 0.18, 1.63) than food secure children. Food insecure children have 1.17 times the odds of being overweight/obesity compared with food secure children (95% CI: 1.02, 1.34). There was no significant interaction by sex or race/ethnicity. Food insecure children consumed more sugar from sugar sweetened beverages (0.36 tsp/day; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.63), and ate breakfast (−0.28 days/week; 95% CI: −0.39, −0.17) and together with family (−0.22 days/week; 95% CI: −0.37, −0.06) less frequently compared to food secure children. Conclusions The present study found a significant, positive association between household food insecurity and child adiposity for children ages 10–15 years, as well as for several dietary intake and diet-related behaviors. This research helps disentangle the complex picture of food insecurity as a contributor to childhood obesity and poorer dietary outcomes in diverse populations. Funding Sources Research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number K01HL131630. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Global Food Initiative at the University of California Office of the President for their support of this project.

Family Type Predicts Mental Health Problems in Young Adults: A Survey of Students at a University in Botswana

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽  
Boniface Kealeboga Ramotuana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intact Family ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Family Types

In Africa, the structure of the family is changing rapidly. The effects of this change on mental health remain unknown. This study investigated the extent to which different family types (intact, single-mother, and multiple) predict mental health problems in young adults in Botswana (N = 264, mean age = 21.31, SD = 2.40). In a cross-sectional design, the study sampled students registered at various faculties at the University of Botswana. The revised symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to assess symptoms of mental health problems (depression, anxiety and hostility). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health problems for mother-only and multiple family types relative to the intact family type. Compared to the intact family type, single-mother (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.51) and multiple family types (OR = 1.56; CI: 0.88, 2.78) were associated with an increased risk of depression. For anxiety, the ORs were 2.27 (CI: 1.18, 4.38) and 1.10 (CI: 0.56, 1.82) for single-mother and multiple family types respectively. For hostility, the ORs were 2.60 (CI: 1.34, 5.04), and 0.79 (CI: 0.44, 1.42) for single-mother and multiple family types, respectively. Family types predict mental health problems in young adults and therefore the interventions to mitigate the effects should consider family backgrounds and the ramifications of family types for treatment and care.

scholarly journals Is empowerment a route to improving mental health and wellbeing in an urban regeneration (UR) context?

Urban Studies ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1619-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Baba ◽  
Ade Kearns ◽  
Emma McIntosh ◽  
Carol Tannahill ◽  
James Lewsey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Urban Regeneration ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Gains

Urban regeneration (UR) programmes are recognised as a type of Population Health Intervention (PHI), addressing social and health inequalities. Policy recommends programmes involve communities through engagement and empowerment. Whilst the literature has started to link empowerment with health improvement, this has not been within an UR context. As part of broader research on the economic evaluation of community empowerment activities, this paper examines how health gains can be generated through promoting empowerment as well as identifying whether feelings of empowerment are associated with residents personal characteristics or perceptions of their neighbourhood. Using 2011 Community Health and Wellbeing Survey (GoWell) cross-sectional data, ordinal logistic regression and simple linear regression analysis of 15 Glasgow neighbourhoods undergoing regeneration with 4302 adult householders (≥16 years old) was completed. Analyses identified strong associations ( P≥ 0.05) between empowerment and the mental health subscale of the SF12v2 and with several items of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) scale. Furthermore, residents’ who felt more empowered reported more positive attitudes towards their surroundings and housing providers. This concurs with recent evidence of the importance of residents’ psychological investments in their neighbourhood influencing their sense of place attachment. Such analyses present initial evidence of the value of investing resources within UR programmes to activities geared towards increasing residents’ empowerment as a means of producing those health gains often sought by more costly aspects of the programmes.

Characterizing psychiatric hypersomnia on campus: contributions of chronotype, insomnia, and tiredness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Beattie ◽  
Georgios Rigas ◽  
Stephany Biello
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sleep Propensity

Study Objectives: The sleep of students contains several features rendering it worthy of independent investigation. Sleep duration is an important aspect of sleep health and wellbeing, however the assessment of psychiatric hypersomnia has been hampered by the absence of a single unitary scale of this construct. With the recent publication of the Hypersomnia Severity Index, research can now examine this condition in greater detail.Methods: Here we consider how the candidate variables of sleep propensity, fatigue, chronotype and insomnia may be associated with hypersomnia scores in a sample of 140 students. Results suggest that hypersomnia was significantly predicted by these measures, but not age or gender. We then model a pathway from chronotype to hypersomnia, including these factors as potential mediators.Results: Results suggest that hypersomnia was significantly predicted by these measures, but not age or gender. The proposed pathway from chronotype to hypersomnia warrants further study.Conclusions: Future studies should expand upon this preliminary report and consider longitudinally and prospectively how hypersomnia is linked to poor mental health in well-characterized samples of students and other young adults.

scholarly journals Investigating the effect of social networking site use on mental health in an 18–34 year-old general population; a cross-sectional study using the 2016 Scania Public Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Stella Scott ◽  
Catarina Canivet ◽  
Per-Olof Östergren
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Survey

Abstract Background Social Networking Sites (SNS) are commonly used, especially by young adults. Their impact on mental health is unclear. Moreover, little is known about how social factors, e.g. Perceived Emotional Support (PES), may affect this association. Mental health issues are increasingly burdening the young generation and society as a whole. This study aims to investigate the association between frequency of SNS use and number of SNS contacts with the mental health of a young, Swedish population. Additionally, the potential effect modification of PES will be analysed in regard to these relationships. Method This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression analyses to data on 1341 participants (aged 18–34), retrieved from the Scania Public Health Survey (2016). Analyses were stratified by gender and the GHQ-12 scale assessed poor mental health. A 2-way interaction model was used to test for effect modification by PES regarding the association between SNS use and mental health. Results Increased risk for poor mental health was found in women only. Using SNS almost hourly vs. less often resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–2.38). The corresponding figures for having ≥600 contacts vs. ≤599 were (1.89; 1.21–2.97). Having low PES and using SNS almost hourly was associated with an OR of 3.12 (CI = 1.69–5.76; synergy index (SI) = 1.25). Low PES and ≥ 600 contacts resulted in an OR of 6.07 (CI = 1.73–21.33), whereby interaction was detected (SI = 2.88). Conclusion Women, but not men, with frequent SNS use and a high number of SNS contacts were more likely to have poor mental health, which was exacerbated in women with low PES. Facilitating PES could be an approach for improving mental health among young adults. Future studies on the use of SNS should focus more on gender analyses.

scholarly journals Rationale and methods for a cross-sectional study of mental health and wellbeing following river flooding in rural Australia, using a community-academic partnership approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Longman ◽  
J. Bennett-Levy ◽  
V. Matthews ◽  
H. L. Berry ◽  
M. E. Passey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flood Exposure ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Rural Australia

Abstract Background Climate change is associated with greater frequency, duration, intensity and unpredictability of certain weather-related events, including floods. Floods harm mental health. There is limited understanding of the mental health and well-being effects from river flooding, particularly over the longer term and in rural contexts. This paper describes the rationale, aims, objectives, study design and socio-demographic characteristics of the sample for a study measuring associations between flood experience and mental health and wellbeing of residents (particularly those most likely to be negatively impacted and hard to reach) in rural NSW Australia 6 months following a devastating flood in 2017. To our knowledge, the study is the first of its kind within Australia in a rural community and is an important initiative given the likelihood of an increasing frequency of severe flooding in Australia given climate change. Methods A conceptual framework (The Flood Impact Framework) drawing on social ecological approaches was developed by the research team. It was based on the literature and feedback from the community. The Framework describes putative relationships between flood exposure and mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Within a community-academic partnership approach, a cross-sectional survey was then undertaken to quantify and further explore these relationships. Results The cross-sectional survey was conducted online (including on mobile phone) and on paper between September and November 2017 and recruited 2530 respondents. Of those, 2180 provided complete demographic data, among whom 69% were women, 91% were aged 25–74, 4% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, 9% were farmers and 33% were business owners. Conclusions The study recruited a wide range of respondents and the partnership facilitated the community’s engagement with the design and implementation of the study. The study will provide a basis for a follow-up study, that will aim to improve the understanding of mental health and wellbeing effects over the longer term. It will provide an important and original contribution to understanding river flooding and mental health in rural Australia, a topic that will grow in importance in the context of human-induced climate change, and identify critical opportunities to strengthen services, emergency planning and resilience to future flooding.

scholarly journals Association between Parents’ Perceptions of Preschool Children’s Weight, Feeding Practices and Children’s Dietary Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3767
Author(s):  
Caihong Xiang ◽  
Youjie Zhang ◽  
Cuiting Yong ◽  
Yue Xi ◽  
Jiaqi Huo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Child Weight ◽  
Weight Perceptions

Parental perception of children’s weight may influence parents’ feeding practices, and in turn, child dietary intake and weight status; however, there is limited evidence generated for preschoolers. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between Chinese parents’ perceptions of child weight, feeding practices and preschoolers’ dietary patterns. Participants (1616 parent-child pairs) were recruited from six kindergartens in Hunan, China. Parents’ misperception, concern, and dissatisfaction on child weight were collected through a self-administered caregiver questionnaire. Parental feeding practices and children’s dietary intake were, respectively, assessed using the Child Feeding Questionnaire and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Linear regression models were applied to analyze associations between parental weight perceptions, feeding practices, and preschooler’s dietary patterns. Associations between parents’ weight perceptions and dietary patterns were significant only among underweight children. Regardless of child weight status, parental weight underestimation and preference for a heavier child were positively associated with pressure-to-eat. Parental weight concern was positively associated with restriction in normal weight child, but this was not found in other weight groups. In conclusion, Parents’ misperception, concern, and dissatisfaction about child weight are associated with parents’ feeding practices and may influence preschoolers’ dietary quality, but the relationships vary by children’s actual weight status.

scholarly journals Exploring the Mental Health and Wellbeing Needs of Workers in the UK Automotive Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Samantha Gellatly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Automotive Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Employee Wellbeing ◽  
The Uk

The purpose of this research was to explore the mental health and wellbeing needs of employees in the automotive sector, to understand the types of initiatives these employees would appreciate and how to promote them effectively. The research was approached with an exploratory, qualitative design. The collection of employee knowledge and opinion was undertaken utilising in-depth and semi structured interviews with a small cross-sectional group of employees. The main findings from the research showed that mental health presenteeism and leaveism are commonly occurring. It was found that individual understanding of well-being differed due to conflicting terminology and that where the company excelled in the areas of health and safety employees experienced unhappiness with working hours, work life balance and pay and reward. Research of this scope was original to the company and the automotive sector thus providing great insight. These employees showed there was less need for complex well-being programmes and that there was a keenness for mental health to be recognised and discussed more to help diminish the attached stigma. This research also questions: who is really best suited to support employee wellbeing? Whilst research highlights the importance of managers in this process, it also confirms, as with this study, that they are the employees with the worst wellbeing and therefore unlikely to be those best suited to provide this support. If managers wellbeing is not boosted it is unlikely that they can bring about desired improvements and bridging this gap requires future consideration.

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