Cross-Sectional Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Breakfast Frequency, and Life Satisfaction Among Health Sciences Students: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect

Abstract

Background: Eating habits such as fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and breakfast frequency are well recognized for their contribution to overall health and well-being. However, the psychological mechanisms that explain the link between these habits and life satisfaction remain poorly explored among university students in the health sciences. Objective: To examine whether positive affect mediates the relationship between FV consumption, breakfast frequency, and life satisfaction among health sciences students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 511 students. FV consumption, breakfast frequency, positive affect, and life satisfaction were assessed using self-report measures. Mediation models were applied to estimate direct and indirect associations. Results: FV consumption and breakfast frequency were positively associated with both positive affect and life satisfaction. Although the direct associations with life satisfaction were not significant, the indirect associations through positive affect were significant (FV: β = 0.114, 95% CI [0.055, 0.173]; breakfast: β = 0.133, 95% CI [0.073, 0.192]). The model accounted for 51.4% of the variance in life satisfaction. Conclusions: The results highlight the role of positive affect as a psychological mechanism linking everyday eating habits to life satisfaction, emphasizing the need to integrate emotional components into strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles among university populations.