Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine associations between dietary habits, substance use, and mental distress among adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 using an online questionnaire and included 28,047 adults (≥18 years) from Southern Norway. Multivariable logistic regression models stratified by gender were used to examine the associations between different lifestyle behaviors and mental distress. The results showed increased odds of mental distress among males and females with low consumption of vegetables (OR:1.26; 95% CI:1.08–1.47 and 1.14; 1.02–1.28) and fish (1.28; 1.12–1.46 and 1.36; 1.22–1.52), and among females, but not males, with high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (1.25; 1.06–1.48) compared to those with a healthier consumption of these foods and beverages. The results also showed increased odds of mental distress among male and female smokers (1.38; 1.19–1.60 and 1.44; 1.26–1.64), and among females, but not males, reporting current use of smokeless tobacco (1.20; 1.03–1.40), compared to male and female non-smokers and female non-users of smokeless tobacco. Overall, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco was associated with increased odds of mental distress, but the relationship varied according to gender. Future studies are needed to confirm any possible causal relationships.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the need to prevent mental disorders, which have been identified as one of the major contributors to the global burden of disease [1,2]
Few studies have examined the relationship between the consumption of specific food items and beverages, the results indicate that high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fish, and low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be associated with a reduced risk of developing mental distress and symptoms of depression [10,11,12]
The results from the present study showed an association between unhealthy dietary habits, substance use, and mental distress in a large sample of Norwegian adults, but the relationships varied according to specific food items and beverages, different substance use habits, and gender
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the need to prevent mental disorders, which have been identified as one of the major contributors to the global burden of disease [1,2]. Results from a cross-sectional study among Canadian adults indicated that high-quality diets and food security may prevent poor mental health [8], whereas poor diet quality did not predict mental distress among Dutch adults participating in a large cohort study [9]. Few studies have examined the relationship between the consumption of specific food items and beverages, the results indicate that high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fish, and low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be associated with a reduced risk of developing mental distress and symptoms of depression [10,11,12]
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