IMPORTANCE People exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a series of imperative containment measures could be psychologically stressed, yet the burden of and factors associated with mental health symptoms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with mental health symptoms in the general population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This large-sample, cross-sectional, population-based, online survey study was conducted from February 28, 2020, to March 11, 2020. It involved all 34 province-level regions in China and included participants aged 18 years and older. Data analysis was performed from March to May 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and acute stress among the general population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Insomnia Severity Index, and Acute Stress Disorder Scale. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore demographic and COVID-19-related risk factors. RESULTS Of 71 227 individuals who clicked on the survey link, 56 932 submitted the questionnaires, for a participation rate of 79.9%. After excluding the invalid questionnaires, 56 679 participants (mean [SD] age, 35.97 [8.22] years; 27 149 men [47.9%]) were included in the study; 39 468 respondents (69.6%) were aged 18 to 39 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of mental Author affiliations and article information are listed at the end of this article.

Eating a well-rounded diet has therapeutic effects on many health issues facing humanity today, such as cardiovascular events and diabetes, because all critical chemicals in mood regulation can be sourced from whole-natural food. A consensus on the important role diet plays in producing healthy outcomes can be reached through discussions around the gut-brain axis, mood-regulating neurotransmitters, and their close connection with food. Existing studies on diet and mental health have accomplished certain levels of success. More data across geographical locations and cultures is needed for dietary practices to be established as a treatment option for psychiatric disorders. Current treatment in psychoactive drugs is effective in the short term, but evidence suggests that it sets individuals up for a higher chance of relapse in the long run. The role of nutrients in mood regulation should be emphasized in both the disease prevention and recovery process. This article provides an outlook for using dietary therapy as an alternative treatment method for mental illness.

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