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Mental health is associated with nutrient patterns and Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) in adolescent girls – an analytical study
Mental health among adolescents is a critical global concern, with diet playing a key role in influencing mental well-being. Nutrient patterns (NPs) and the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) are novel and reliable methods used to explore the impact of nutrition on various health conditions. The INQ measures an individual’s nutrient intake in relation to recommended daily allowances, adjusted for energy intake. This study by Jafari-Vayghan et al. (2023) aimed to examine the relationship between NPs/INQ and mental health in adolescents, hypothesizing that a high-quality, nutrient-rich diet may offer protection against psychological issues. 365 female teenagers from five different areas of Tabriz, Iran, participated in the study. A 3-day food record questionnaire was used to monitor nutritional consumption, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was used to evaluate mental health. Nutritional data from the food records were used to model NPs, and the INQ was calculated using the formula: nutrient intake per 1000 kcal divided by the recommended daily allowance (RDA) or adequate intake (AI) per 1000 kcal. Four primary NPs were found: NP1: excessive consumption of cholesterol, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, B-complex vitamins, and critical amino acids. NP2: excessive consumption of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chromium, copper, iron, biotin, vitamin E, folate, and fatty acids. NP3: excessive amino acid consumption. Lastly, NP4: high consumption of dietary fiber, calcium, β-carotene, and vitamins A, D, K, and C. Teenagers in the top quartile of NP1 and NP4 scored considerably lower on stress, anxiety, and depression than adolescents in the worst quartile. Data analysis showed a relationship between reduction in anxiety and INQ scores of vitamins A, D, K, B6, B12, and folate, in addition to an increase in stress with manganese INQ. In summary, reduced levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were linked to increased intakes of calcium, β-carotene, vitamins A, D, K, and C, as well as dietary fiber. Additionally, essential amino acids, zinc, B-complex vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, and cholesterol showed protective effects against these mental health issues. INQ analysis highlighted the protective effects of vitamins A, D, K, B6, B12, and folate against anxiety. [NPID: Anxiety, depression, nutrient pattern, mental health, female adolescents, Index of Nutritional Quality, INQ]
Year: 2023
