Diet, Mood & Well-Being (Adult Population)

This 2018 study evaluates whether psychological well-being predisposes older adults to eat more fruits and vegetables. The 6,565 participants of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were examined over a seven-year span to determine their psychological functioning. Boehm (2018) focused on 17 items from the Control, Autonomy, Satisfaction, and Pleasure Scale (CASP-19), including pleasure, self-realization, and autonomy. From the initial stages, the participants with a greater sense of psychological well-being were shown to eat more fruits and vegetables. It was also shown that these individuals who started the study with a greater feeling of satisfaction would consume fruits and vegetables for longer over the 7 years (11% reduced risk of dropping below the recommended levels during follow-up).