Diet Quality and Mental Health in Adolescents
Author Information
Author(s): Jacka Felice N., Kremer Peter J., Berk Michael, de Silva-Sanigorski Andrea M., Moodie Marjorie, Leslie Eva R., Pasco Julie A., Swinburn Boyd A.
Primary Institution: Deakin University
Hypothesis
This study aimed to investigate relationships between measures of diet quality and adolescent mental health, both cross-sectionally and prospectively.
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of diet in adolescence and its potential role in modifying mental health over the life course.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher healthy diet scores at baseline predicted higher mental health scores at follow-up.
- Improvements in diet quality were associated with improvements in mental health.
- Deteriorating diet quality was linked to poorer psychological functioning.
Takeaway
Eating healthy foods can help kids feel better mentally, while eating junk food can make them feel worse.
Methodology
The study used a longitudinal cohort design with self-reported dietary and mental health data collected from adolescents aged 11-18 years.
Potential Biases
Potential unrecognized confounding factors such as familial influences on diet and mental health were not accounted for.
Limitations
The study may not have adequately controlled for all confounding variables, and the sample may not be representative of the wider Australian population.
Participant Demographics
The sample consisted of Australian adolescents aged 11-18 years, with 56% males and a majority categorized as high SES.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95%CI 0.10 to 0.18
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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