Nutrition a key ingredient for psychological health in Canadian adults

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uot-nak021020.php

News Release 12-Feb-2020
University of Toronto

A new study investigating factors that contribute to psychological distress in adults has found that that risk of malnourishment is linked to psychological distress among Canadians aged 45 years and older.

"These findings are consistent with other research which has found links between poor quality diet, and depression, bipolar disorder, and psychological distress," says study lead Dr. Karen Davison, Health Science faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, BC. "Collectively, they indicate that nutrition may be an important consideration in mental health care."

Adults who have insufficient appetite, face challenges in preparing food, or consume low-quality diets are identified to be at risk of malnourishment. Indicators of a poor diet found in the study that were associated with psychological distress included low fruit and vegetable intake and higher levels of chocolate consumption.

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