Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Interventions and public health nutrition

Associations between diet quality and mental health in socially disadvantaged New Zealand adolescents

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages 79–83 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

To examine the relationship between diet quality and mental health in an ethnically diverse adolescent population in New Zealand.

Subjects/Methods:

Cross-sectional, population-based study design. Data were available at baseline for 4249 students. Responses from self-reported dietary questionnaires were used to assess diet quality; healthy eating and unhealthy eating were assessed as two separate scales. Mental health was assessed by the emotional subscale of the PedsQL instrument.

Results:

Eating a healthy diet was significantly associated with better emotional health (P<0.001) and eating an unhealthy diet was significantly associated with greater emotional distress (P<0.001), after controlling for age, ethnicity and gender. The healthy and unhealthy eating scales were independently related to mental health scores.

Conclusions:

These findings contribute to a growing body of literature that diet quality is associated with mental health in adolescents. Further research is warranted to determine whether improvements to the diets of adolescents can have meaningful improvements to mental well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. UNICEF. Progress for Children: A Report Card on Adolescents. New York: UNICEF, 2012.

  2. Gore FM, Bloem PJ, Patton GC, Ferguson J, Joseph V, Coffey C et al. Global burden of disease in young people aged 10-24 years: a systematic analysis. Lancet 2011; 377: 2093–2102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Jaycox LH, Stein BD, Paddock S, Miles JN, Chandra A, Meredith LS et al. Impact of teen depression on academic, social, and physical functioning. Pediatrics 2009; 124: e596–e605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Thapar A, Collishaw S, Pine DS, Thapar AK . Depression in adolescence. Lancet 2012; 379: 1056–1067.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Adair L, Popkin B . Are child eating patterns being transformed globally? Obes Res 2005; 13: 1281–1299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Nielsen S, Popkin B . Patterns and trends in food portion sizes, 1977–1998. JAMA 2003; 289: 450–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Nielsen S, Siega-Riz A, Popkin B . Trends in energy intake in US between 1977 and 1996: similar shifts seen across age groups. Obesity 2002; 10: 370–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang Z, Zhai F, Du S, Popkin B . Dynamic shifts in Chinese eating behaviors. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2008; 17: 123–130.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Collishaw S, Maughan B, Goodman R, Pickles A . Time trends in adolescent mental health. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2004; 45: 1350–1362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Twenge JM . Generational differences in mental health: are children and adolescents suffering more, or less? Am J Orthopsychiatry 2011; 81: 469–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. West P, Sweeting H . Fifteen, female and stressed: changing patterns of psychological distress over time. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2003; 44: 399–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jacka F, Rothon C, Taylor S, Berk M, Stansfeld S . Diet quality and mental health problems in adolescents from East London: a prospective study. Soc Psych Psych Epid 2013; 48: 1297–1306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Mykletun A, Williams LJ, Hodge AM, O'Reilly SL et al. Association of Western and traditional diets with depression and anxiety in women. Am J Psychiatry 2010; 167: 305–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nanri A, Kimura Y, Matsushita Y, Ohta M, Sato M, Mishima N et al. Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms among Japanese men and women. Eur J Clin Nutr 2010; 64: 832–839.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Oddy W, Robinson M, Ambrosini G, O'Sullivan T, de Klerk N, Beilin L et al. The association between dietary patterns and mental health in early adolescence. Prev Med 2009; 49: 39–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Weng T-T, Hao J-H, Qian Q-W, Cao H, Fu J-L, Sun Y et al. Is there any relationship between dietary patterns and depression and anxiety in Chinese adolescents? Public Health Nutr 2012; 15: 673–682.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Akbaraly TN, Brunner EJ, Ferrie JE, Marmot MG, Kivimaki M, Singh-Manoux A . Dietary pattern and depressive symptoms in middle age. Br J Psychiatry 2009; 195: 408–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Sanchez-Villegas A, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Alonso A, Schlatter J, Lahortiga F, Serra Majem L et al. Association of the Mediterranean dietary pattern with the incidence of depression: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra/University of Navarra follow-up (SUN) cohort. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009; 66: 1090–1098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Sanchez-Villegas A, Verberne L, De Irala J, Ruiz-Canela M, Ea Toledo, Serra-Majem L et al. Dietary fat intake and the risk of depression: the SUN Project. PLoS One 2011; 6: e16268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Jacka F, Kremer P, Berk M, De Silva-Sanigorski A, Moodie M, Leslie E et al. A prospective study of diet quality and mental health in adolescents. PLoS One 2011; 6: e24805.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. McMartin S, Kuhle S, Colman I, Kirk S, Veugelers P . Diet quality and mental health in subsequent years among Canadian youth. Public Health Nutr 2012; 15: 2253–2258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Swinburn BA, Millar L, Utter J, Kremer P, Moodie M, Mavoa H et al. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities project: project overview and methods. Obes Res 2011; 12 (Suppl 2): 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Utter J, Scragg R, Robinson E, Warbrick J, Faeamani G, Foroughian S et al. Evaluation of the Living 4 Life project: a youth-led, school-based obesity prevention study. Obes Res 2011; 12: 51–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Varni J, Seid M, Rode C . The PedsQL(TM): Measurement model for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Med Care 1999; 37: 126–139.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Varni JW, Burwinkle TM, Seid M, Skarr D . The PedsQL 4.0 as a pediatric population health measure: feasibility, reliability, and validity. Ambul Pediatr 2003; 3: 329–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Jacka F, Kremer P, Leslie E, Berk M, Patton G, Toumbourou J et al. Associations between diet quality and depressed mood in adolescents: results from the Australian Healthy Neighbourhoods Study. Aust N Z J Psychiatrists 2010; 44: 435–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Keating CL, Moodie ML, Swinburn BA . The health-related quality of life of overweight and obese adolescents—a study measuring body mass index and adolescent-reported perceptions. Int J Pediatr Obes 2011; 6: 434–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Varni JW, Limbers CA, Burwinkle TM . Impaired health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic conditions: a comparative analysis of 10 disease clusters and 33 disease categories/severities utilizing the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2007; 5: 43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Auerbach RP, Ho MH . A cognitive-interpersonal model of adolescent depression: the impact of family conflict and depressogenic cognitive styles. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2012; 41: 792–802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. deBourdeaudhuij I, Van Oost P . Family characteristics and health behaviours of adolescents and families. Psychology and Health 1998; 13: 785–803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Herrenkohl TI, Kosterman R, Mason WA, Hawkins JD, McCarty CA, McCauley E . Effects of childhood conduct problems and family adversity on health, health behaviors, and service use in early adulthood: tests of developmental pathways involving adolescent risk taking and depression. Dev Psychopathol 2010; 22: 655–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Motl RW, Birnbaum AS, Kubik MY, Dishman RK . Naturally occurring changes in physical activity are inversely related to depressive symptoms during early adolescence. Psychosom Med 2004; 66: 336–342.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kokkevi A, Richardson C, Florescu S, Kuzman M, Stergar E . Psychosocial correlates of substance use in adolescence: A cross-national study in six European countries. Drug Alcohol Depen 2007; 86: 67–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Herva A, Laitinen J, Miettunen J, Veijola J, Karvonen J, Laksy K et al. Obesity and depression: results from the longitudinal Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort Study. Int J Obesity 2005; 30: 520–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Franko DL, Striegel-Moore RH, Thompson D, Schreiber GB, Daniels SR . Does adolescent depression predict obesity in black and white young adult women? Psychol Med 2005; 35: 1505–1513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Goodman E, Whitaker RC . A prospective study of the role of depression in the development and persistence of adolescent obesity. Pediatrics 2002; 110: 497–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Richardson LP, Davis R, Poulton R, McCauley E, Moffitt TE, Caspi A et al. A longitudinal evaluation of adolescent depression and adult obesity. Arch Pediatr Adoles Med 2003; 157: 739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Farrant B, Utter J, Ameratunga S, Clark T, Fleming T, Denny S . Prevalence of severe obesity among New Zealand adolescents and associations with health risk behaviours and emotional wellbeing. J Pediatr 2013; 163: 143–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Cullen KW, Eagan J, Baranowski T, Owens E, Moor Cd . Effect of a la carte and snack bar foods at school on children's lunchtime intake of fruits and vegetables. J Am Diet Assoc 2000; 100: 1482–1486.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Cullen KW, Thompson DI . Texas school food policy changes related to middle school a la carte/snack bar foods: potential savings in kilocalories. J Am Diet Assoc 2005; 105: 1952–1954.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Cullen KW, Zakeri I . Fruits vegetables, milk, and sweetened beverages consumption and access to a la carte/snack bar meals at school. Am J Public Health 2004; 94: 463–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Kubik MY, Lytle LA, Hannan PJ, Perry CL, Story M . The association of the school food environment with dietary behaviors of young adolescents. Am J Public Health 2003; 93: 1168–1173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Kubik MY, Lytle LA, Story M . Schoolwide food practices are associated with body mass index in middle school students. Arch Pediatr Adoles Med 2005; 159: 1111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Hartstein J, Cullen KW, Reynolds KD, Harrell J, Resnicow K, Kennel P . Impact of portion-size control for school a la carte items: changes in kilocalories and macronutrients purchased by middle school students. J Am Diet Assoc 2008; 108: 140–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Neumark-Sztainer D, French SA, Hannan PJ, Story M, Fulkerson JA . School lunch and snacking patterns among high school students: associations with school food environment and policies. Int J Behav Nutr and Phys Act 2005; 2: 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Harris JL, Pomeranz JL, Lobstein T, Brownell KD . A crisis in the marketplace: how food marketing contributes to childhood obesity and what can be done. Ann Rev Pub Health 2009; 30: 211–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Harris JL, Schwartz MMB, Brownell KD . Evaluating Fast Food Nutrition and Marketing to Youth. New Haven (CT): Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, 2010.

  48. Nestle M . Food marketing and childhood obesity—a matter of policy. N Engl J Med 2006; 354: 2527–2529.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Powell LM, Szczypka G, Chaloupka FJ, Braunschweig CL . Nutritional content of television food advertisements seen by children and adolescents in the United States. Pediatrics 2007; 120: 576–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D, French S . Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. J Am Diet Assoc 2002; 102 (3, Supplement): S40–S51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    A A Kulkarni, B A Swinburn & J Utter

Authors
  1. A A Kulkarni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B A Swinburn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J Utter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J Utter.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kulkarni, A., Swinburn, B. & Utter, J. Associations between diet quality and mental health in socially disadvantaged New Zealand adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 79–83 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.130

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.130

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links