Association between junk food consumption and mental health problems in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed, Parham Mardi, Bahram Hejrani, Fatemeh Sadat Mahdavi, Behnaz Ghoreshi, Kimia Gohari, Motahar Heidari-Beni, Mostafa Qorbani

Journal: BMC psychiatry 2024;24(1):438

PMID: 38867156

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Plain Language Summary

Psychological conditions impose a considerable burden across the international community, adversely affecting quality of life. Psychological problems including depression, stress, and anxiety, also arise in association with some noncommunicable diseases. All of these mental health problems have adverse effects on health status, quality of life, and ability to work. This study aimed to examine the relationship between junk food consumption and mental health disorders in adults. This research was a systematic review and meta-analysis of seventeen studies evaluating a total of 159,885 participants. Results showed that high consumption of junk food was significantly associated with increased risks of depression. In addition, higher junk food consumption was associated with increased odds of depression and psychological stress. Authors concluded that consumption of junk foods that are high in fat and sugar content and of low nutritive value are associated with poorer mental health in adults.

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 I 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.

Address: Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.; Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Rajaei Educational & Medical Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.; Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.; Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.; 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. [email protected].; Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. [email protected].; Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05889-8