Analysis of Correlation between Nutritional Behavior, Lifestyle and Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety among Students

Tamara  Dimovic; Nikoleta  Janicijevic; Dalibor  Stajic; Nela  Djonovic; Dragan  Vasiljevic; Jelena  Vuckovic-Filipovic; Radisa  Vojinovic; Mladen  Grujicic; Milos  Potezica; Jovana  Radovanovic; Viktor  Selakovic; Katarina  Janicijevic; Snezana  Radovanovic; Olgica  Mihaljevic; Marija  Sekulic

doi:10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17588

Tamara Dimovic Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Nikoleta Janicijevic Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dalibor Stajic Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Nela Djonovic Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dragan Vasiljevic Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Jelena Vuckovic-Filipovic Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Radisa Vojinovic Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Mladen Grujicic Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology of Health Centar Bijeljina, Bijeljina, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Milos Potezica Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Jovana Radovanovic Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Viktor Selakovic Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Katarina Janicijevic Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Snezana Radovanovic Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Olgica Mihaljevic Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Marija Sekulic Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17588

Keywords: Eating habits; Lifestyle; Physical activity; Anxiety; Depression

Abstract

Background: Students making the transition from high school to university find it difficult to maintain good eating routines/lifestyles and mental health, due to time constraints and stress. The goal of the study was to analyse the correlation between previously mentioned topics.

Methods: We included 948 students, aged 18-27, at the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Serbia and the research was conducted in 2020. Chi-square was used for statistical analysis. Modified WHO questionnaire for lifestyle and eating habits was used, as well as standardized questionnaires for anxiety and depression.

Results: Respondents who had more prominent symptoms of depression (moderate or severe) and anxiety had a significantly higher percentage of eating less than three meals a day (47.7%, 35.7%), skipped breakfast (38.6%, 33.5%), consumed alcohol (11.4%, 3.8%), used energy drinks (38.6%, 31.7%), were on some type of diet (36.6%, 30.2%), were not satisfied with their appearance (66.7%, 53%) and not engaging in physical activity (43.2%, 33.1%). Significant predictors for severe depressive and anxiety symptoms were the consumption of alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, satisfaction with personal appearance and physical activity during a day.

Conclusion: The results suggest that some of the eating and lifestyle habits were linked to higher risks of developing depressive or anxiety symptoms.