Study Title
Association between junk food consumption and mental health problems in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Principal Investigator
Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed, Parham Mardi, Bahram Hejrani, Fatemeh Sadat Mahdavi, Behnaz Ghoreshi, Kimia Gohari, Motahar Heidari-Beni, Mostafa Qorbani
Affiliation
Obesity and Eating Habits 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
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To assess the relationship between junk food consumption (ultra-processed foods, fast foods, unhealthy snacks, and sugary beverages) and mental health outcomes (such as stress, anxiety, and depression) in adults.
Short Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis includes 17 studies involving 159,885 participants. The analysis revealed a significant association between junk food consumption and increased odds of stress, depression, and overall mental health problems. Consumption of ultra-processed foods, sweetened beverages, and snacks was notably linked to poorer mental health outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of reducing junk food intake for better mental health management.
Study Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)
Population
Adults with mental health assessments (age range not specified)
Sample Size
159,885 participants across 17 studies
Inclusion Criteria
Observational studies on adults examining the relationship between junk food consumption and mental health
Exclusion Criteria
Letters, comments, reviews, in vitro, pre-clinical studies, and ecological studies
Intervention/Exposure
Junk food consumption, categorized into sweetened beverages, sweet snacks, snacks, and total junk foods
Outcome Measures
Stress, anxiety, depression, and overall mental health
Funding Source
Alborz University of Medical Sciences
Collaborating Institutions
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Ethics Approval
Not applicable (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in BMC Psychiatry, June 2024
Keywords
Junk food, mental health, stress, depression, anxiety, systematic review, meta-analysis
Data Collection Methods
Systematic search in databases including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and EMBASE up to July 2023
Primary Data Availability
Data available on request from the authors
Contact Information
Motahar Heidari-Beni (