Abstract：
The prevalence of mental health issues among UK undergraduate students is growing, and poor diet quality appears to be a risk factor for poor mental health although with limited research in this area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between diet quality and common mental disorders (CMD) such as depression and anxiety in UK undergraduate students. A cross-sectional survey consisting of demographic information and validated questionnaires (the Short-Form Food Frequency Questionnaire [SFFFQ] and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) was conducted to measure diet quality and anxiety and depression in young adults in 44 UK-based universities. Multiple regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors was used to assess the associations between them. Undergraduate university students (n = 202, 67% female) with a mean age of 20.9 ± 3.6 years and a mean body mass index (n = 170) of 22.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2 took part in the study. Prevalence of anxiety was high, with 40% of the sample having an anxiety score in the severe range (≥12 points) while the prevalence of depression was lower, with 6% of the population having a depression score in the severe range (≥12 points). Diet quality was significantly higher for females than males (p = 0.034) and was poor for 38% of the sample, being more common in males compared to females, although not significantly so (43% and 36%, respectively). Diet quality was inversely associated with anxiety (β = -0.427; p = 0.029) and was more likely to be associated with anxiety in females than males (β = 0.743; p = 0.043). No significant relationship between diet quality and depression was found. Better self-reported health, father\'s qualification and smoking status were also associated with less anxiety and depression. This research supports other research suggesting that UK universities should explore whether the implementation of dietary interventions and improving the food environment would be a cost-effective option to reduce the high prevalence of anxiety among students.
摘要：
英国本科生心理健康问题的患病率正在上升，尽管这方面的研究有限，但不良的饮食质量似乎是不良心理健康的危险因素。因此,这项研究的目的是研究英国本科生的饮食质量与抑郁和焦虑等常见精神障碍(CMD)之间的横断面关系.进行了一项由人口统计信息和经过验证的问卷组成的横断面调查（简短的食物频率问卷[SFFFQ]和医院焦虑和抑郁量表[HADS]），以测量44名年轻人的饮食质量以及焦虑和抑郁英国大学。使用校正混杂因素的多元回归分析来评估它们之间的关联。平均年龄为20.9±3.6岁，平均体重指数（n=170）为22.6±3.2kg/m2的本科生（n=202，女性67％）参加了研究。焦虑的患病率很高，40％的样本的焦虑评分在严重范围内（≥12分），而抑郁症的患病率较低，6％的人群的抑郁评分在严重范围内（≥12分）。女性的饮食质量明显高于男性（p=0.034），38％的样本较差，与女性相比，男性更常见，尽管情况不明显(43%和36%，分别)。饮食质量与焦虑呈负相关（β=-0.427；p=0.029），女性比男性更可能与焦虑相关（β=0.743；p=0.043）。饮食质量与抑郁症之间没有显着关系。更好的自我报告的健康，父亲的资格和吸烟状况也与较少的焦虑和抑郁相关。这项研究支持其他研究，表明英国大学应该探索实施饮食干预措施和改善食物环境是否将是一个具有成本效益的选择，以减少学生焦虑的高患病率。
