Foods, Nutrients and Dietary Patterns in Relation to Irrational Beliefs and Related Psychological Disorders: The ATTICA Epidemiological Study

Abstract

We explored the differences in dietary habits and dietary patterns between individuals characterized by irrational beliefs with no or low anxiety and depressive symptoms and individuals characterized by irrational beliefs with high anxiety and depressive symptomatology. Within the context of the ATTICA cohort study (2002–2012), 853 participants without evidence of cardiovascular disease (453 men (45 ± 13 years) and 400 women (44 ± 18 years)) underwent mental health assessment through the irrational beliefs inventory (IBI), the Zung self-rating depression scale (ZDRS) and the state–trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Demographic characteristics, a thorough medical history, dietary behaviour and other lifestyle behaviours were also evaluated and analysed using factor analysis. Five main factors related to dietary patterns were extracted for the high-IBI/low-STAI group of participants (explaining the 63% of the total variation in consumption), whereas four factors were extracted for the high-IBI/high-STAI participants, the high-IBI/low-ZDRS participants and the high-IBI/high-ZDRS participants, explaining 53%, 54% and 54% of the total variation, respectively. A Western-type dietary pattern was the most dominant factor for individuals reporting irrational beliefs and anxiety or depressive symptomatology. The high refined carbohydrates and fats dietary pattern was the most dominant factor for individuals with irrational beliefs but without psychopathology. Linear regression analysis showed that irrational beliefs, in combination with anxiety or depression, age, sex and BMI, were important predictors of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Dietary habits interact with irrational beliefs and, in association with the consequent psychological disorders, are associated with overall diet, and presumably may affect the health status of individuals.

Dietary eating patterns, dairy consumption, and anxiety: A systematic literature review

“…The remaining 18 studies were cross-sectional, including one study conducted among children which reported a statistically significant inverse association between dairy consumption and anxiety; i.e., more dairy intake was associated with lower risk of anxiety [ 107 ]. Among the 17 cross-sectional studies of adult populations, 4 reported a statistically significant inverse association [ 5 , 13 , 110 , 111 ], 11 showed no association [ 6 , 7 , 14 , 16 , 57 , 60 , 106 , 112 – 115 ], and 2 noted mixed associations [ 12 , 104 ]. One study noted a statistically significant inverse association for women, but no association for men [ 12 ], while another study indicated a statistically significant inverse association for low-fat dairy intake and a positive association for high-fat dairy consumption [ 104 ].…”

The relationship between the Mediterranean diet and Axis I disorders: A systematic review of observational studies

“…However, some studies did not achieve significant results, and even two studies found a direct relationship between receiving Mediterranean diet and increasing these disorders. One was a cross-sectional study (Vassou et al, 2021) that found positive correlation between Mediterranean diet and depression. However, the correlation between anxiety and the dietary pattern was negative.…”

Staying in my lane: An exploration of counsellors' and psychotherapists' understanding and use of nutrition in the therapy room

“…In many studies, these relationships exist in a dose–response pattern (e.g., Cha et al, 2021; Chen et al, 2021; Ferreira de Almeida et al, 2021; Mantzorou et al, 2021; Meller et al, 2021; Yin et al, 2021). While most of the existing studies are cross‐sectional, and therefore cannot show the direction of causation, many authors (e.g., Vassou et al, 2021; Yin et al, 2021) believe that the relationship between diet quality and mental health is likely bidirectional. Proposed mechanisms for dietary effects relate to gut microbiota, the immune system, brain development and function, neurotransmitters, inflammation, nutritional deficits and issues with glucose metabolism (Kaplan et al, 2015; Mörkl et al, 2021; Teasdale et al, 2020).…”

“…One reason for this may be because traditional policies focus on individual nutrients and foods. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in the focus of the research, away from individual nutrients towards a “whole‐diet” approach, which considers the complex combination of various foods and nutrients that people typically consume in real‐world settings (Konishi, 2021; Vassou et al, 2021). This will likely have a knock‐on effect on food education and policies that are easier for individuals to put into practice.…”

“…In many studies, these relationships exist in a doseresponse pattern (e.g., Cha et al, 2021;Chen et al, 2021;Ferreira de Almeida et al, 2021;Mantzorou et al, 2021;Meller et al, 2021;Yin et al, 2021). While most of the existing studies are cross-sectional, and therefore cannot show the direction of causation, many authors (e.g., Vassou et al, 2021;Yin et al, 2021) believe that the relationship between diet quality and mental health is likely bidirectional.…”