An extra serving of fruit linked to lower risk of depression and anxiety in teenagers
The food choices teenagers make could have implications beyond their physical health, with new research from the University of Sydney linking food choices and sugar consumption to the later emergence of depression and anxiety symptoms.
A new study from the University of Sydney reveals that teenagers who consume an extra serving of fruit each day may have a lower risk of developing depression and anxiety later in life. Researchers tracked the dietary habits and mental health of 6,537 adolescents across New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia for four years.
On average, the participants were 12.5 years old when the study began and completed annual surveys throughout high school. The researchers found that each additional serving of fruit per day was linked to a 13% reduced likelihood of depression symptoms and a 7% lower chance of anxiety symptoms over the study period. The average daily fruit intake for the participants ranged from 2 to 2.5 servings.
In contrast, higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soft drinks, sweetened drink concentrates, and sports drinks, was associated with increased risks of depression and anxiety. This connection was observed in both male and female teenagers, but it was particularly strong in males, especially in relation to anxiety.
Dr. Lily Davidson, the lead author from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, emphasized the importance of the study's findings. She noted that adolescence is a critical period when young people begin to gain more independence over their food choices, and mental health problems often start to emerge.
Davidson clarified that the study does not claim that eating an apple can prevent depression or that drinking a soft drink will cause anxiety. Instead, it suggests that diet is one aspect of a young person's life that can potentially be modified to support better mental health.
The study used data from the Matilda Centre's Health4Life study, which followed the adolescents for three years, excluding those who already met the criteria for depression or anxiety at the start of the research. By focusing on a cohort of teenagers without pre-existing mental health issues, the researchers aimed to establish a clearer association between diet and the emergence of mental health symptoms over time.
The findings underscore the need to address adolescent mental health prevention beyond just physical health. The researchers recommend creating environments that make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable while also reducing young people's exposure to sugary drinks. Schools, families, and governments all have a role to play in shaping the choices teenagers make and fostering better mental health outcomes.
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