Abstract
<h3>Background</h3> Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) describes one's overall perception of well-being. Research has shown the impact of fruit and vegetable intake on HRQOL among college students, but the relationship between diet quality and HRQOL is unclear. <h3>Objective</h3> The objective was to assess the influence of diet quality on HRQOL among college students. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> A cross-sectional convenience sample of undergraduate students completed an online survey to capture health behaviors. <h3>Measurable Outcomes/Analysis</h3> Diet quality was measured using the short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI). HRQOL was assessed using the Center for Disease Control's Healthy Days modules. A MANOVA was used to assess group differences in HRQOL between students who scored above average sHEI and students who scored the average sHEI and below. <h3>Results</h3> The sample (n = 753) was mostly White (87.7%), female (69.8%), and an average of 20.90 ± 2.34 y/o. Average sHEI was 48.99 ± 10.37, indicating poor diet quality. On average, students reported 4.05 ± 6.31 days per month (d/m) with poor physical health, 11.81 ± 9.20 d/m with poor mental health, and 9.99 ± 8.00 d/m feeling healthy and full of energy. There was a significant difference in HRQOL between those who had above average sHEI and those who scored the average and below (F (3,711) = 6.19, <i>P <</i> 0.001, Wilk's Λ = .98, partial η 2 = .025). Students who had above average sHEI (51.3%) reported significantly more d/m feeling healthy and full of energy (11.27 ± 8.41 vs. 8.78 ± 7.4, p < 0.001) and less d/m with poor mental health (10.78 ± 8.91 vs. 12.69 ± 9.37, <i>P</i> < 0.01) compared to students who scored average and below. There were no significant difference for d/m with poor physical health. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Diet quality significantly differed in college students' HRQOL. These findings provide justification for wellness-aimed interventions that address college-specific barriers of diet quality to improve HRQOL. <h3>Funding</h3> USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME013054538 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station
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