Mental health and food habits among employed women and men

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the association between mental health and recommended food habits among employed middle-aged women and men. A mail survey including data on mental health and intake of food items was collected from 40 to 60-year-old women ( n=4991) and men ( n=1252), employed by the City of Helsinki. The participants' current mental health status was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire 12-item version and categorised into ‘poor’ (score 3–12) and ‘normal’ mental health (score 0–2). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using this categorisation as an independent variable to predict recommended food habits among women and men. All analyses first adjusted for age and lifetime mental diagnosis, secondly socio-economic status variables, and thirdly health behaviours. Women having poor mental health were less likely than their healthier counterparts to report consuming fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat milk and low-fat cheese on a daily basis, and cereals or porridge at least five times a week. Men having poor mental health reported consuming less frequently fresh fruits and dark bread. Except for cereals and dark bread, these results remained statistically significant in the fully adjusted model. The results suggest that poor mental health is associated with unhealthy food habits.