Linking Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms with Diet Quality of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Abstract

This study examines the association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with diet quality among university students while controlling for different demographic and other health and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2021 and June 2021 among a total of 440 (unweighted) university students. Diet quality was assessed using a 10-item mini-dietary assessment index tool. The depressive and anxiety symptoms of participants were measured using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were performed. In this study, 61.1% (95% CI: 56.6% to 65.7%) of university students’ diet quality was good during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being a post-graduate student, an urban resident, having no depressive (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.20 to 3.84) and anxiety symptoms (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.07 to 3.59), no changes or improvement in appetite, and no changes in sleep duration were significantly associated with good diet quality among our study participants. Depressive and anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 had a significant effect on the diet quality of university students. Future public health policies need to be focused on improving the mental health and well-being of students particularly during pandemic situations to enhance their diet quality.

Síntomas de ansiedad en estudiantes de medicina ante el regreso a clases presenciales postpandemia

“…Tomar clases en línea fue particularmente complicado al inicio, ya que solo un 45% de mexicanos contaba con una computadora y solo un 53% tenía acceso de internet en casa, principalmente en áreas urbanas 3 . Esta situación provocó que muchos estudiantes no concluyeran el ciclo escolar durante la pandemia por COVID-19; de las razones principales mencionadas fueron: la pérdida de contacto con sus maestros, la reducción de ingreso en la familia o porque la escuela tuvo que cerrar de manera indefinida 4 .Los estudiantes universitarios que continuaron el periodo escolar en esta nueva modalidad de aprendizaje comenzaron a mostrar alteraciones en su salud mental, particularmente síntomas de ansiedad, depresión, estrés, ideas suicidas, consumo de sustancias y trastornos del sueño; las mujeres fueron más afectadas [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] .…”

Mediating Roles of Psychological Distress, Insomnia, and Body Image Concerns in the Association Between Exercise Addiction and Eating Disorders

“…disorders among them despite ample literature indicating a high prevalence of these concerns. 1,[15][16][17][18][19][20]27,[42][43][44][45][46] Therefore, adolescents were eligible to be included (otherwise excluded) in the study if they (1) were aged between 13 to 18 years (2) were studying in a high school in Qazvin, and (3) provided a signed assent and consent form by themselves and one of their parents. The adolescents were recruited using a two-stage cluster sampling strategy.…”

“…15,16 Eating disorders have been associated with physical and mental health challenges such as body dissatisfaction, depression, and psychological distress. 1,[15][16][17][18][19][20] Like eating disorders, exercise addiction has been associated with psychological distress, depression, and emotional stress. 1,21,22 These findings suggest that exercise addiction and eating disorders may share characteristics such as being behavioural addictions and having similar health consequences.…”

“…1,2,23,24 In addition, there have been reported associations between exercise addiction and body image concerns (eg, body dysmorphic disorder). [25][26][27][28] Although there have been reported associations between psychological distress (eg, depression, stress and anxiety) and insomnia (including sleep quality), 17,19,20,[29][30][31] potential associations between exercise addiction and insomnia are arguably less well studied. Sleep problems or insomnia as possible withdrawal symptoms have been reported when people with exercise addiction withhold or suspend exercising temporarily.…”