The association of food quality index with mental health in women: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Diet is a fundamental modifiable risk factor for the development of depression and anxiety. However, no evidence currently exists regarding the association of food quality score (FQS) and mental health in Iranian women. This study investigated the relationship between food quality score, depression, anxiety and stress in Iranian women. Results: Results showed that 35%, 41% and 42% of participants had depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. The average age of participants was 31.40 ± 7.47 years. A significant association was indicated between FQS and symptoms of depression (OR: 0.36; 95% CI 0.21, 0.63), anxiety (OR: 0.31; 95% CI 0.18, 0.53), and stress (OR: 0.39; 95% CI 0.23, 0.66) in both crude and adjusted models.