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Fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health across adolescence: evidence from a diverse urban British cohort study
This study looks at the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health in a British population and especially accounting for ethnicity, parenting and socioeconomic situations. 4683 adolescents aged 11-13 were extracted from the British multi-ethnic Determinants of Adolescents (now young Adult) Social well-being and Health (DASH) longitudinal study, and followed up after 3 years. Mental health was assessed through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as mean Total Difficulty Score (TDS) and participants were classed as probable cases of mental disorders if scores reached 17 (higher indicating increased psychological distress). After questioning the study group on the number of fruits and vegetables (FV) consumed daily, around 60-70% answered <5 portions, 20-30% with <1 servings per day. Data revealed the majority of ethnic minority groups were consuming less FV than their white peers. The value <1 portions of FV a day was still significantly correlated with average TDS in the fully adjusted models, while no effects from ethnicity and gender were detected. Low parental care partially reduced the association between FV and mental health, which could inspire research on parenting interventions and its possible developmental effect on children. [NPID: depression, anxiety, worry, fruit, vegetables, FV intake, Britain, socioeconomic status, psychological distress, children]
Year: 2019
