Optimism is associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking behavior in a general population

Abstract

Background: Dispositional optimism is a psychological trait that has been associated with positive health outcomes such as reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, there is little knowledge on the relationship between optimism and dietary intake in the population. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether optimism was associated with overall diet quality, food group consumption and snacking. Methods: In 2016, 32,806 adult participants from the NutriNet-Santé study completed the Life-Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) which assesses dispositional optimism. Overall diet quality (assessed by the mPNNS-Guideline Score) and consumption of 22 food groups were evaluated using at least three self-reported 24-h dietary records. Snacking behavior was evaluated by an ad-hoc question. Logistic and linear regressions were used to analyze the associations between optimism and these dietary behaviors, taking into account socio-demographic, lifestyle and depressive symptomatology characteristics. Results: Optimism was associated with greater overall diet quality (β (95% CI) = 0.07 (0.004-0.11), P < 0.0001) and higher consumption of fruit and vegetables, seafood, whole grains, fats, dairy and meat substitutes, legumes, nonsalted oleaginous fruits, and negatively associated with consumption of meat and poultry, dairy products, milk-based desserts, sugar and confectionery. In addition, optimism was associated with less snacking (OR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.84, 0.95)). In contrast, optimism was associated with higher consumption of alcoholic beverage (β (95% CI) = 5.71 (2.54-8.88), P = 0.0004) and appetizers (OR (95% CI) = 1.09 (1.04, 1.14)). Finally, no association was observed between optimism and energy intake. Conclusions: Optimism was associated with better overall diet quality and less snacking. It was also associated with consumption of healthy food groups as well as unhealthy food groups typically consumed in social eating occasions. These findings suggest that optimism could be taken into account in the promotion of a healthy eating behavior.

Association between positive psychological traits and changes in dietary behaviour related to first COVID-19 lockdown: A general population-based study

“…Our study showed that individuals with lower positive psychological traits levels were more likely to display unhealthy changes in their dietary behaviour. Though there is no similar data existing in the literature, previous studies reported that individuals with lower levels of positive psychological traits were less likely to have a healthier diet ( Ait-Hadad et al, 2020 ; Cobb-Clark et al, 2014 ; Grant et al, 2009 ; Jordan et al, 2014 ; Muros et al, 2017 ; Whatnall et al, 2019 ), which is consistent with our results. Potential explanation of our findings could involve the fact that individuals with higher positive psychological traits levels were less impacted by lockdown side-effects, such as an increase in stress (due to work interruption, fear of contracting COVID-19, low satisfaction with health information received, etc.…”

“…Positive psychological resources are of specific interest since focusing on building competencies rather than correcting weakness could be a step forward in health promotion ( Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000 ). Optimism ( Ait-Hadad et al, 2020 ), satisfaction with life ( Grant, Wardle, & Steptoe, 2009 ), self-esteem ( Muros, Cofre-Bolados, Arriscado, Zurita, & Knox, 2017 ), resilience ( Whatnall, Patterson, Siew, Kay-Lambkin, & Hutchesson, 2019 ), mindfulness ( Jordan, Wang, Donatoni, & Meier, 2014 ) and mastery ( Cobb-Clark, Kassenboehmer, & Schurer, 2014 ) are all positive psychological resources that have previously been associated with a healthier diet. Therefore, it is likely that these traits may have played a role in the way individuals experienced the lockdown, and more specifically their overall dietary behaviour during this period.…”

Healthy Behavior as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Optimism and Life Satisfaction in Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…59 Research also found an association between high optimism and high diet quality and less snacking behavior among the general population. 60 An alternative parallel model of mediation found the mediation role of PMA and, to some extent, HD (but not PB and HP) in the association between optimistic expectancies and satisfaction with life when gender was included as a covariate. However, SEM showed that PMA and PB (but not HD and HP) are mediators in the relationship between optimistic expectancies and satisfaction with life when the analysis was conducted on the total sample.…”

“… 59 Research also found an association between high optimism and high diet quality and less snacking behavior among the general population. 60 …”

Inculcating Dispositional Optimism for Prevention of Mental and Substance Use Disorders Throughout and After the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic

“…that higher optimistic scores on LOT-R are directly related to quality of life, self-efficacy (belief or confidence in one's ability to accomplish a task or succeed in specific situations), 55 academic performance, and mental health. 53,56,57 Several recent studies have adopted LOT-R to measure "optimism" as a predictor of occupational burnout, 58 psychological distress, 59 and work productivity, 60 including caregiver and nursing care as well as better diet quality, 61 longevity 62 and physical and mental health. 63 This scale is also an indirect measure of happiness, motivation, self-esteem, self-confidence, gratitude, and resilience.…”