The Effect of Lower Dietary Fat and Higher Fruit Intakes on Reducing Aggressive Behaviors in Young Males

Abstract

Background: Trait anger is associated with numerous physiological and psychological problems and is a social health problem. The current study aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic and nutritional determinants of trait anger in young males. Methods: In the current study, 150 young males aged between 14-44 years were randomly selected. General information was obtained and anthropometric assessments were performed. Trait anger was measured by the state-trait anger expression inventory, and affective control scale (ACS) was used for assessing affective disorders, including four subscales of anger, depressive mood, anxiety, and positive emotion. Dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results: According to the findings of the current study, trait anger score was higher among young male subjects who were illiterate or had low educational attainment, unemployed, single, and had no physical activity. Similarly, among affective disorder subscales, the subjects who were illiterate or had lower educational attainment and were single, had higher scores of anger, positive emotion, depressive mood, and anxiety. Among dietary intakes, trait anger score was positively associated with dietary fat intake and negatively associated with fruit intake (P = 0.04). Conclusion: The current study highlighted the effects of education, marital status, physical activity, and fruit intake in the attenuation and suppression of trait anger and affective disorders. The preventive strategies for trait anger can be focused to promote these healthy habits and modify life style into a physically active healthy diet pattern.