Shiva Faghih1, Siavash Babajafari2, Afsaneh Mirzaei2, Masoumeh Akhlaghi3. 1. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. akhlaghi_m@sums.ac.ir.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Examining the association between adherence to the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern and mental health in Iranian university students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 university students (mean age 21.5 years; 86.7% female). Mental health was evaluated using validated Persian versions of the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). The lower the subjects' scores on these questionnaires, the better their mental health. Usual past-year dietary intakes were assessed by a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The DASH score was computed based on energy-adjusted intakes of eight major dietary components emphasized or minimized in the DASH pattern. The higher the DASH score of a subject, the greater his/her adherence to the DASH pattern. RESULTS: The Pearson's correlation coefficients of DASH score with GHQ-12 total score, DASS-21 total score, and DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress subscale scores were - 0.431, - 0.441, - 0.434, - 0.325, and - 0.408, respectively (all P < 0.001). Compared to those in the lowest tertile, subjects in the highest tertile of DASH score had lower means of GHQ-12 total score (mean difference - 4.6; P < 0.001), DASS-21 total score (mean difference - 9.1; P < 0.001), and DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress subscale scores (mean differences for depression, anxiety, and stress - 3.6, - 2.4, and - 3.2, respectively; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that greater adherence to the DASH dietary pattern is associated with better mental health in Iranian university students. However, prospective studies of sufficient methodological quality are needed to confirm these findings.
PURPOSE: Examining the association between adherence to the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern and mental health in Iranian university students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 university students (mean age 21.5 years; 86.7% female). Mental health was evaluated using validated Persian versions of the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). The lower the subjects' scores on these questionnaires, the better their mental health. Usual past-year dietary intakes were assessed by a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The DASH score was computed based on energy-adjusted intakes of eight major dietary components emphasized or minimized in the DASH pattern. The higher the DASH score of a subject, the greater his/her adherence to the DASH pattern. RESULTS: The Pearson's correlation coefficients of DASH score with GHQ-12 total score, DASS-21 total score, and DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress subscale scores were - 0.431, - 0.441, - 0.434, - 0.325, and - 0.408, respectively (all P < 0.001). Compared to those in the lowest tertile, subjects in the highest tertile of DASH score had lower means of GHQ-12 total score (mean difference - 4.6; P < 0.001), DASS-21 total score (mean difference - 9.1; P < 0.001), and DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress subscale scores (mean differences for depression, anxiety, and stress - 3.6, - 2.4, and - 3.2, respectively; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that greater adherence to the DASH dietary pattern is associated with better mental health in Iranian university students. However, prospective studies of sufficient methodological quality are needed to confirm these findings.
Entities:
Keywords:
Diet; Iran; Mental health; Students; University
Authors: Ali Montazeri; Amir Mahmood Harirchi; Mohammad Shariati; Gholamreza Garmaroudi; Mehdi Ebadi; Abolfazl Fateh Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2003-11-13 Impact factor: 3.186