Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults
Introduction: Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, contribute significantly to the global disease burden. Growing evidence suggests that dietary patterns play a crucial role in mental health outcomes. Objectives: This cross-sectional study examines the associations between a...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Nourit Houminer-Klepar Keren Dopelt |
| author_facet | Nourit Houminer-Klepar Keren Dopelt |
| author_sort | Nourit Houminer-Klepar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, contribute significantly to the global disease burden. Growing evidence suggests that dietary patterns play a crucial role in mental health outcomes. Objectives: This cross-sectional study examines the associations between adherence to a Mediterranean diet, processed food consumption, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Israeli adults. Additionally, it investigates whether sleep quality mediates these relationships. Methods: A total of 303 participants completed an online survey assessing demographic variables, health-related behaviors, dietary patterns, sleep quality and duration, and mental health indicators. Results: Pearson correlations revealed significant associations between dietary patterns and mental health symptoms. Higher Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with lower anxiety and depression scores, whereas greater processed food consumption was linked to increased psychological distress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that dietary patterns significantly predicted anxiety and depression symptoms, even after controlling for demographic and health-related factors. However, sleep quality did not mediate these relationships, suggesting independent effects of diet and sleep on mental health. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of dietary modifications as a complementary approach to mental health management, though generalizability is limited by our predominantly female, Jewish Israeli sample studied during a period of conflict. Integrating nutritional assessments into mental health care could enhance treatment strategies. Future research should explore longitudinal and interventional approaches to establish causal relationships between diet quality and mental health outcomes. This study highlights the clinical and public health relevance of dietary assessment in mental health evaluations and supports the development of integrated, nutrition-informed interventions to enhance psychological well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07d7ccb18200497d8a10e0b3f4ed296f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-07d7ccb18200497d8a10e0b3f4ed296f2025-08-20T02:58:44ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01149148510.3390/foods14091485Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli AdultsNourit Houminer-Klepar0Keren Dopelt1Department of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, IsraelDepartment of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, IsraelIntroduction: Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, contribute significantly to the global disease burden. Growing evidence suggests that dietary patterns play a crucial role in mental health outcomes. Objectives: This cross-sectional study examines the associations between adherence to a Mediterranean diet, processed food consumption, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Israeli adults. Additionally, it investigates whether sleep quality mediates these relationships. Methods: A total of 303 participants completed an online survey assessing demographic variables, health-related behaviors, dietary patterns, sleep quality and duration, and mental health indicators. Results: Pearson correlations revealed significant associations between dietary patterns and mental health symptoms. Higher Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with lower anxiety and depression scores, whereas greater processed food consumption was linked to increased psychological distress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that dietary patterns significantly predicted anxiety and depression symptoms, even after controlling for demographic and health-related factors. However, sleep quality did not mediate these relationships, suggesting independent effects of diet and sleep on mental health. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of dietary modifications as a complementary approach to mental health management, though generalizability is limited by our predominantly female, Jewish Israeli sample studied during a period of conflict. Integrating nutritional assessments into mental health care could enhance treatment strategies. Future research should explore longitudinal and interventional approaches to establish causal relationships between diet quality and mental health outcomes. This study highlights the clinical and public health relevance of dietary assessment in mental health evaluations and supports the development of integrated, nutrition-informed interventions to enhance psychological well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1485Mediterranean dietprocessed foodanxietydepressionsleep qualitycross-sectional study |
| spellingShingle | Nourit Houminer-Klepar Keren Dopelt Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults Foods Mediterranean diet processed food anxiety depression sleep quality cross-sectional study |
| title | Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults |
| title_full | Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults |
| title_fullStr | Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults |
| title_short | Associations Between Mediterranean Diet, Processed Food Consumption, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Study Among Israeli Adults |
| title_sort | associations between mediterranean diet processed food consumption and symptoms of anxiety and depression cross sectional study among israeli adults |
| topic | Mediterranean diet processed food anxiety depression sleep quality cross-sectional study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1485 |
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