Mediterranean Diet and the Emotional Well-Being of Students of the Campus of Melilla (University of Granada)

Abstract

A certain link exists between the consumption of particular groups of food and well-being. In this study, we analyzed in depth the relationship between strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and emotional well-being through a descriptive, exploratory, transversal, and correlational study of students from the Campus of Melilla, University of Granada, Spain. The sample consisted of 272 individuals. Adherence to the MD was measured with the PREvención con DIetaMEDiterránea (PREDIMED) questionnaire, emotional well-being (both positive and negative affection) with the Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the state of perceived health with the Short Form-36 (SF36), and the degree of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). A strict adherence to the MD was found to be significantly related to positive emotional state (β = 0.018, p = 0.009). The perceived state of health (β = 0.192, p < 0.001), mental role (β = 0.346, p < 0.001), and physical activity (β = 0.155, p = 0.007) were found to be predictive factors of a positive emotional state. Conversely, the relationship between the adherence to the MD and a negative emotional state was not significant. Various components of the MD were found to be independently connected to well-being. The results suggest that adopting a nutritional pattern such as the MD is linked to an improvement in emotional well-being.

Impact of Physical Activity Practice and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Relation to Multiple Intelligences among University Students

“…Similar findings can be observed in the study by Chacón-Cuberos et al [46] showing how women have a better diet in relation to men. The current research shows how women adhere better to MD even though they have lower PA than men [47,48]. In contrast, similar studies [49,50] found a positive relationship between adherence to MD and PA with no differences observed between men and women.…”

Are Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Emotional Eating, Alcohol Intake, and Anxiety Related in University Students in Spain?

“…Previous work on this area suggests the association between AMD and quality of life and others the relationship between AMD and the wellbeing of Spanish college students [76]. Positive associations between AMD adherence and higher levels of subjective happiness have been found in adolescents [77].…”

Dietary Habits and Psychological States during COVID-19 Home Isolation in Italian College Students: The Role of Physical Exercise

“…Emotional distress causes a preference and craving for carbohydrate-rich foods, and these may have a positive reinforcing effect on mood, explaining the higher PANAS positive score. However, legumes consumption has been previously related to lower stress levels and better positive affects [61]. Finally, although negative affect (PANAS negative scores) have been associated with a reduction in Factor 3 (i.e., high-fat meat and milk-derivatives) and an increase in Factor 6 (i.e., fish), research relating meat consumption with mood and life quality is inconclusive, with contrasting results; so, more research is needed to investigate these relationships [61].…”

“…However, legumes consumption has been previously related to lower stress levels and better positive affects [61]. Finally, although negative affect (PANAS negative scores) have been associated with a reduction in Factor 3 (i.e., high-fat meat and milk-derivatives) and an increase in Factor 6 (i.e., fish), research relating meat consumption with mood and life quality is inconclusive, with contrasting results; so, more research is needed to investigate these relationships [61]. However, it might be suggested that this effect depends on a subgroup of people with modest depression preferring a diet with fish and less high-fat meat and milk-derivatives as a strategy to deal with their symptoms.…”