Psychological Distress Is Associated with Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors in Young Adults (P18-023-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between psychological distress & unhealthy dietary behaviors in college students. MethodsA 30-item electronic survey was sent to undergraduate students at a Midwestern University after being tested for face, content, & construct validity. Kesslers-6 (K6) scale was used to measure psychological distress & likelihood of serious mental illness (6 items assessing distress over the past month-response options ‘none of the time’ to ‘all of the time’). Dietary behaviors related to sugar, fat, & sodium consumption in a week were assessed through 7 items- response options ranging from ‘never’ to ‘always’. ResultsA total of 1170 students completed the survey (response rate = 80%). Majority were Whites (78%), females (66%), 18–20 years old (74%), pursuing a non-health related degree (61%). The mean diet scores were: sugary foods (8.36 ± 2.37), fatty foods (5.51 ± 1.69), high sodium foods (Mean = 5.65 ± 1.67). These items were added to create a composite unhealthy dietary behavior score (Mean = 19.52 ± 4.52). Statistically significant differences in consumption of sugary & fatty foods were found based on gender (males more likely to consume fatty foods & females more likely to consume sugary foods) & race (non-white students had higher composite unhealthy dietary behavior scores, P < 0.05). K6 scores (population mean = 15.50 ± 4.93, range = 6–30) were significantly higher among females, younger, & non-white students (P < 0.05). In multivariate linear regression, K-6 psychological distress scores were statistically significant predictors of dietary behaviors for sugar (r = 0.45), fat (r = .33), & high sodium consumption (r = 0.51). Even after adjusting for race, age, gender, year in college, & academic major, K-6 scores remained a significant predictor of unhealthy dietary behavior scores (i.e., higher K-6 score led to greater unhealthy dietary food consumption). ConclusionsWhile college counselors & mental health professionals across the nation continue to address stress & mental health issues in college students, they should work with registered dietitian nutritionists to address nutrition problems that may be associated with mental health issues (e.g., unhealthy dietary practices & eating disorders). Funding SourcesNo funding was acquired for this study.