Navigation
Optimism is associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking behavior in a general population
The purpose of this 2020 cross-sectional study was to assess whether optimism is associated with overall diet quality, food group consumption and snacking. Ait-Hadad et al. (2020) retrieved data of 32,806 adult participants from the NutriNet-Santé study, including their dispositional optimism [obtained by using the Life-Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R)], overall diet quality (assessed by the mPNNS-Guideline Score), snacking behavior (evaluated by an ad hoc question), and consumption of 22 food groups (utilising at least 3 self-reported 24-h dietary records). The results revealed connections between optimism with greater overall diet quality, less snacking (OR = 0.89), and higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, seafood, whole grain, fats, dairy and meat substitutes, legumes, non-salted oleaginous fruits. However, negative associations also existed between optimism and consumption of meat and poultry, dairy products, milk-based desserts, sugar and confectionery. Although no association was found between optimism and energy intake, higher consumption of alcoholic beverages and appetisers were linked to the optimism trait. These findings suggest that optimism could be considered for the promotion of a healthy eating behavior. [NPID: personality, optimism, snacking, snacking, alcohol]
Year: 2020
