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Are Psychological Distress and Resilience Associated with Dietary Intake Among Australian University Students?

Author

Listed:
  • Megan C. Whatnall

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Amanda J. Patterson

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Yu Yao Siew

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Frances Kay-Lambkin

    (Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Melinda J. Hutchesson

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

Abstract

University students report unhealthy diets and experience poorer mental health than the general population. This study explores the association between psychological distress and resilience with dietary intake in a sample of Australian university students. Cross-sectional data from the University of Newcastle Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2017 were analysed. Psychological distress (Kessler Scale), resilience (Brief Resilience Scale) and fruit, vegetable, soft drink, takeaway food and breakfast intakes (short diet questions) were assessed. Socio-demographic (e.g., gender), student (e.g., undergraduate/postgraduate) and health characteristics (e.g., physical activity) were captured. Multivariate linear regression models explored associations between psychological distress and resilience with dietary intake, with adjustment for potential confounders. Analysis included 2710 students (mean age 26.9 ± 9.5 years, 30.4% male). In adjusted models, lower psychological distress was associated with higher fruit (β = −0.37, p = 0.001) and vegetable (β = −0.37, p < 0.001) serves/day, more frequent breakfast consumption ( p < 0.001) and less frequent soft drink and takeaway food consumption ( p < 0.001). Higher resilience was associated with higher fruit (β = 0.03, p = 0.022) and vegetable (β = 0.06, p < 0.001) serves/day, more frequent breakfast consumption ( p = 0.005), and less frequent soft drink ( p < 0.001) and takeaway food consumption ( p = 0.001). These results highlight a potential link between psychological distress and resilience with diet, and that further research in this area is warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan C. Whatnall & Amanda J. Patterson & Yu Yao Siew & Frances Kay-Lambkin & Melinda J. Hutchesson, 2019. "Are Psychological Distress and Resilience Associated with Dietary Intake Among Australian University Students?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4099-:d:279909
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karl Peltzer & Supa Pengpid, 2015. "Correlates of healthy fruit and vegetable diet in students in low, middle and high income countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(1), pages 79-90, January.
    2. Felice N Jacka & Nicolas Cherbuin & Kaarin J Anstey & Peter Butterworth, 2014. "Dietary Patterns and Depressive Symptoms over Time: Examining the Relationships with Socioeconomic Position, Health Behaviours and Cardiovascular Risk," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, January.
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    2. Stacy M. Fandetti & Alicia Anne Dahl & Caitlan Webster & Morium Barakat Bably & Maren J. Coffman & Elizabeth F. Racine, 2023. "Healthy Food Policies Documented in University Food Service Contracts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene & Vaiva Balciuniene, 2020. "The Role of Body Image, Disordered Eating and Lifestyle on the Quality of Life in Lithuanian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Silvia San Román-Mata & Pilar Puertas-Molero & José Luis Ubago-Jiménez & Gabriel González-Valero, 2020. "Benefits of Physical Activity and Its Associations with Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Distress in University Students from Southern Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Elena Caroline Weitzel & Margrit Löbner & Susanne Röhr & Alexander Pabst & Ulrich Reininghaus & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, 2021. "Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, July.

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