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Association Between Junk Food Consumption and Mental Health Problems in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Ejtahed HS1, 2 ; Mardi P3 ; Hejrani B4 ; Mahdavi FS5, 6 ; Ghoreshi B8 ; Gohari K9 ; Heidaribeni M10 ; Qorbani M8, 11
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  4. 4. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  6. 6. Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Rajaei Educational & amp
  7. 7. Medical Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  8. 8. Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  10. 10. Department of Nutrition, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  11. 11. Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: BMC Psychiatry Published:2024


Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression can seriously undermine mental health and quality of life globally. The consumption of junk foods, including ultra-processed foods, fast foods, unhealthy snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages, has been linked to mental health. The aim of this study is to use the published literature to evaluate how junk food consumption may be associated with mental health disorders in adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted up to July 2023 across international databases including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the I2 statistic and chi-square-based Q-test. A random/fixed effect meta-analysis was conducted to pool odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs). Results: Of the 1745 retrieved articles, 17 studies with 159,885 participants were suitable for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis (seven longitudinal, nine cross-sectional and one case-control studies). Quantitative synthesis based on cross-sectional studies showed that junk food consumption increases the odds of having stress and depression (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.23). Moreover, pooling results of cohort studies showed that junk food consumption is associated with a 16% increment in the odds of developing mental health problems (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.24). Conclusion: Meta-analysis revealed that consumption of junk foods was associated with an increased hazard of developing depression. Increased consumption of junk food has heightened the odds of depression and psychological stress being experienced in adult populations. © The Author(s) 2024.
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