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Mental health problems in relation to eating behavior patterns, nutrient intakes and health related quality of life among Iranian female adolescents
The purpose of this 2018 study was to find an association between mental health problems, eating behavior patterns, nutrient intakes and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among the 107 Iranian adolescent girls (aged 15-17 years old) signed up from 3 different high schools in Tabriz city, Iran. The dietary information of the adolescents were collected using an Iranian version of the semi-quantitative Food-Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), while HRQoL, mental health problems and eating behavioral patterns were assessed by adopting the Short Form 36 (SF-36), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) and Eating Behavioral Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ), respectively. The most common mental health problem among this young female sample were indicators of conduct problems (25.2%) and indicators of hyperactivity disorders (18.6%). While hyperactive disorders were prevalent in 35.5% of the studied population. The study also found that the young subjects who scored highly for ‘snacking and convenience’, ‘planning ahead’ and ‘meal skipping’ eating habits were significantly likely to show indicators of emotional disorders (P < 0.05). Moreover, those in the highest tertile for the 'low fat eating' eating pattern were associated with reduced risk of developing hyperactivity disorders (P < 0.05). The prevalence of emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity disorders were all lower among participants who scored highly on the vitality and mental health components of HRQoL. Differences in BMI and nutrient intake between the various categories of mental health problems was determined to be insignificant. The data here suggests that unhealthy eating habits such as 'snacking and convenience', 'planning ahead' and 'meal skipping' positively predict "emotional disorders'' while the "low fat" eating pattern was identified as a negative predictor of hyperactive disorders. [NPID: behavior, quality of life, Iran, Iranian adolescent girls, hyperactivity disorders, meal planning, meal skipping, emotional disorders, nutrient intake, vitality, mental health, snacking, convenience, low fat]
Year: 2018
