Navigation
Do changes in eating behaviors signal rising mental health concerns among Saudi high schoolers?
Deteriorating eating behaviors have become a significant psychiatric concern, with an increasing prevalence in industrialized societies. In this study by Mumtaz et al. (2024), the authors look at the links between mental health and poor dietary practices among Saudi high school students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 2817 students (convenience sampling) from two high schools answered questions on their demographics, depression symptoms (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), and unhealthy eating habits (Eating Attitudes Test 26). The research participants’ levels of anxiety and sadness were shown to be moderately and significantly linked to unhealthy eating habits, respectively. Among the three aspects of deteriorated eating behaviors, dieting had the strongest predictive relationship with anxiety and depression, followed by oral control, bulimia & food preoccupation. The study emphasizes the importance of focusing on students exhibiting unhealthy eating behaviors and related symptoms, as they may be experiencing mental health issues that require further evaluation. [NPID: Anxiety, COVID-19, deteriorated eating patterns, depression, Saudi high schoolers]
Year: 2024
