ERIC Number: EJ1473269
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
Available Date: 0000-00-00
The Association of Overall Dietary Quality on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Academic Performance in College Students: A Systematic Review
Jessica M. Phelan1,2; Richard R. Rosenkranz1,3; Cindy Logan4; Mark D. Haub1; Emily L. Mailey5; Armin Ezzati1,6; Sara K. Rosenkranz1,3
Journal of American College Health, v73 n3 p977-988 2025
Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to examine current evidence regarding the associations between dietary quality and mental well-being indicators (stress, anxiety, and/or depression) in college students, with a secondary aim of characterizing the relationship between overall dietary quality and academic performance. Methods: Searches were performed, and the PRISMA guidelines were followed for reporting the methods and results. Results: Twelve observational studies were included and reviewed showing high dietary quality was associated with--low stress (four studies), "high" stress (one study), and no significant association (two studies); low depression (three studies) and no significant association (two studies) and low anxiety (two studies), "high" anxiety (one study), and no significant associations (two studies). Results showed weak positive associations between overall dietary quality and academic performance. Conclusions: These results are consistent with other studies of dietary quality and non-clinical mental health outcomes; more researched is needed to determine potential associations.
Descriptors: Food, Eating Habits, Nutrition, Stress Variables, Anxiety, Correlation, Academic Achievement, Mental Health, Depression (Psychology), College Students, Health Behavior, Likert Scales, Measures (Individuals), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Research Reports
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: State Trait Anxiety Inventory; Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Food Nutrition Dietetics and Health, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA; 2Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, USA; 3Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Nevada, USA; 4Hale Library, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA; 5Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA; 6Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA