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Associations between eating habits and mental health among adolescents in five Nordic countries: a cross-sectional survey
Researchers and medical practitioners are increasingly focusing on the connection between dietary habits and teenage mental health. According to recent research, healthy eating practices may aid in developing and maintaining mental health. However, much of the current research is focused on clinical groups, and methodological and sociocultural variables frequently make comparisons difficult. Fismen et al. (2024) used standardized data from a nationally representative sample to explore how adolescents’ eating habits are linked to their mental health, considering age, gender, socioeconomic status, and country. Data from Nordic teenagers (n = 22,384) who took part in the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) research, ages 11, 13, and 15, were utilized in the study. The association between eating habits (consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and soft drinks), meal patterns (breakfast and family dinners), and mental health (life satisfaction and subjective health complaints) was evaluated. Age, gender, nationality, and socioeconomic position were considered while adjusting the statistics. Results showed that healthier eating habits were linked to better mental health, with the strongest connections observed between meal habits (such as eating breakfast and sharing family meals) and mental well-being. Disparities by gender and nation were detected, with Danish boys showing lesser correlations. The authors conclude that initiatives to support teenage mental health should consider their eating habits. Despite differences based on gender and country, even small improvements in dietary habits could lead to significant mental health benefits. [NPID: Food habits, meal habits, adolescents, mental health, mental well-being]
Year: 2024
