Jim E Banta1, Roxanne N Khoie-Mayer2, Chintan K Somaiya2, Ogbochi McKinney2, Gina Segovia-Siapco2. 1. Loma Linda University School of Public Health (JEB, CKS, and GSS), RDs for Healthcare, Inc. (RNKM), and California Baptist University (OB), USA jbanta@llu.edu. 2. Loma Linda University School of Public Health (JEB, CKS, and GSS), RDs for Healthcare, Inc. (RNKM), and California Baptist University (OB), USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to determine if poor mental health is associated with the intake of specific foods among California children. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of the 2007 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was conducted. Mental health was measured using a shortened version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Dietary measures were self-reported servings of fruit, vegetables, 100% fruit juice, high sugar foods, soda/sweetened drinks, and French fries/fried potatoes consumed the previous day, as well as frequency of fast food consumed during the past week. SETTING: Phone interviews were conducted via the CHIS on households in California. SUBJECTS: Data belonging to children (n = 11,190) ages 5-11 years whose parents completed the CHIS 2007 and 2009 random-dial telephone surveys was investigated. RESULTS: Of an estimated annual population of 3.7 million children, 180,000 (4.9%) had poor mental health. Children with poor mental health consumed more soda/sweetened drinks (0.60 vs 0.45 servings per day, p = 0.024), French fries/fried potatoes (0.27 vs 0.14 servings per day, p = 0.003), and fast food (2.02 vs 1.38 servings per week, p = 0.009) compared to children with good mental health. Mental health was not associated with other dietary measures. Adjusting for relevant socio-demographic characteristics, logistic regression found poor mental health to be significantly associated with any consumption of French fries/fried potatoes (odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, p = 0.001) or vegetables (OR 0.6, p = 0.005) on the previous day, and fast food two or more times in the past week (OR 1.7, p < 0.001). Interaction analysis revealed that an estimated 33% of girls with poor mental health consumed French fries, compared to 12% of girls with good mental health (OR 2.91, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Children with poor mental health are more likely to consume calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods compared to their counterparts. Intake of such foods may contribute to worse physical health as these children mature.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to determine if poor mental health is associated with the intake of specific foods among California children. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of the 2007 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was conducted. Mental health was measured using a shortened version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Dietary measures were self-reported servings of fruit, vegetables, 100% fruit juice, high sugar foods, soda/sweetened drinks, and French fries/fried potatoes consumed the previous day, as well as frequency of fast food consumed during the past week. SETTING: Phone interviews were conducted via the CHIS on households in California. SUBJECTS: Data belonging to children (n = 11,190) ages 5-11 years whose parents completed the CHIS 2007 and 2009 random-dial telephone surveys was investigated. RESULTS: Of an estimated annual population of 3.7 million children, 180,000 (4.9%) had poor mental health. Children with poor mental health consumed more soda/sweetened drinks (0.60 vs 0.45 servings per day, p = 0.024), French fries/fried potatoes (0.27 vs 0.14 servings per day, p = 0.003), and fast food (2.02 vs 1.38 servings per week, p = 0.009) compared to children with good mental health. Mental health was not associated with other dietary measures. Adjusting for relevant socio-demographic characteristics, logistic regression found poor mental health to be significantly associated with any consumption of French fries/fried potatoes (odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, p = 0.001) or vegetables (OR 0.6, p = 0.005) on the previous day, and fast food two or more times in the past week (OR 1.7, p < 0.001). Interaction analysis revealed that an estimated 33% of girls with poor mental health consumed French fries, compared to 12% of girls with good mental health (OR 2.91, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS:Children with poor mental health are more likely to consume calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods compared to their counterparts. Intake of such foods may contribute to worse physical health as these children mature.
Authors: Louise Arvidsson; Gabriele Eiben; Monica Hunsberger; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij; Denes Molnar; Hannah Jilani; Barbara Thumann; Toomas Veidebaum; Paola Russo; Michael Tornatitis; Alba M Santaliestra-Pasías; Valeria Pala; Lauren Lissner Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-12-14 Impact factor: 3.295