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Associations between diet quality, food insecurity, physical activity, social connectedness and depressive symptomology in Australian university students: a cross-sectional study
The rising prevalence of depression necessitates a focus on modifiable factors that can enhance mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study explores the inverse relationship between diet quality and depressive symptomology, specifically examining the roles of food insecurity, physical activity, and social connectedness. Data was collected from 145 adult university students (mean age 26.9 ± 9.9 years) between July and October 2024 through an electronic survey. The instruments utilized included the Diet Screening Tool, the US Adult Food Security Module, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Social Connectedness Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale—21 (DASS-21). Pearson’s correlation analyses and linear regression were conducted to assess the associations among the variables of interest. The findings revealed that 70% of the cohort exhibited mild to severe depression, with 25% facing severe food insecurity. Increased food insecurity and physical activity (measured in Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes/week) accounted for 11% and 9% of the variance in DASS-21 depression scores, respectively. Notably, diet quality and social connections did not show significant associations with depressive symptomology. These results suggest that food insecurity may significantly influence depressive symptoms and that addressing this issue could enhance treatment outcomes for mood disorders. The unexpected relationship between physical activity and depression calls for further investigation. The study recommends implementing evidence-based, holistic interventions to address food insecurity and support university students’ mental health. [NPID: Depressive symptoms, food insecurity, social connectedness, students]
Year: 2025
