RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND

EATING HABITS
Research-Based Learning

Submitted to Sharda University

For the Award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Arts

in

Psychology

By

Name: Aafrin Nisha

(Sys ID): 2021492355

Under the Supervision of

DR. LAKHMINDER SINGH

Assistant Professor

Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Sharda University, Greater Noida – 201301, India, 2024

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sr. Chapter Name Page No

No
Abstract 1

Introduction 2

Literature review 3

Objectives and Hypothesis 4

Research methodology 5

Result 6

Discussion 7
Conclusion 8
Implication 9

Future Directions 10
Limitation 11
References 12
Abstract

Study objective The study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and
eating habits

Participants The study involved total of 50 participants, equally divided between males

and females

Primary Variables The research focused on two primary variables: ‘Depression’ and

‘eating habits’

Findings Studies point to a complicated connection between eating patterns and sadness.
Anxiety swings brought on by depression can frequently result in either an increase or
decrease in food intake. Depression frequently leads to emotional eating, which is the use of
food as a coping mechanism for unpleasant emotions. On the other hand, a bad diet—one that
includes little fruits and vegetables, for example—may make depression more likely. Taking
care of one's diet and mental health is essential for general well-being and may even help
control depressive symptoms.

Conclusion There are several facets to the association between eating habits and depression.
Emotional eating and irregular meal patterns are two unhealthy eating practices that can be
brought on by depression. Depression can also affect appetite. On the other hand, a bad diet
may exacerbate or cause depression symptoms to appear. It might be helpful to manage
eating behaviors and depression by addressing these interrelated issues holistically with
behavioral treatments, nutrition education, and mental health support. This will enhance
overall health and well-being.
 Introduction

Depression is a mental disorder which is characterized by persistent sadness, or lack of

interest or pleasure in previously rewarding and enjoyable activities. Depression and other
mental health illnesses are rising rapidly over the globe and remain a threat to world public
health. More than 300 million people are affected by depression and other mental disorders,
and are usually associated with unemployment, poor physical health, impaired social
functioning, and emotional sadness. It can result in a number of physical and mental issues
and impair the ability to perform at home and at work. Depressive disorders impose a
considerable amount of cost on the health and economy of both developed and the developing
nations. Currently, the most common mental disorders that are prevailing in most of the
countries are depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). Depression is the leading cause of nonfatal disease burden.

Habitual decisions made by an individual or a group of people regarding which food items to
consume are called dietary or eating habits. Not much people are aware of the connection
between food (nutrition) and depression, while the connection between the nutritional
deficiencies and physical illnesses are easily understood. On the contrary, food and nutrition
play a pivotal role in the onset as well as severity and duration of the depression. Human
health is greatly influenced by a person’s dietary habits. Along with dietary factors, other
lifestyle factors like physical inactivity, substance abuse, cigarette smoking all have been
linked with a number of mental illnesses and death.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the connection between eating habits and
depression, and the findings point to a complex bidirectional interaction between the two.
One the one hand, eating habits and appetite might vary due to depression, resulting in
overeating, under-eating, and a predilection for foods that are high in fat and sugar. On the
other side, dietary modifications can have an effect on both mental and physical health
outcomes, possibly escalating depressive symptoms and bringing about detrimental health
consequences like weight gain, vitamin deficiencies, and physical health issues.

The goal of this article is to present a summary of the current research on how depression
affects eating behaviors while also highlighting important findings, potential limits, and
future research prospects. Healthcare professionals can create more effective interventions
that target both mental and physical health concerns and enhance overall well-being for
people with depression by better understanding the complicated interaction between
depression and eating behaviors.
 Literature review

Hu (2021)The association between eating habits, lifestyle characteristics, anxiety, depression,

and the severity of reflux esophagitis is examined in the study. The study, which was
published in BMC Gastroenterology, attempts to comprehend the potential influence of
lifestyle decisions and psychological factors on the severity of this gastrointestinal ailment.

According to the research, anxiety, depression, and the severity of reflux esophagitis are
significantly correlated. Higher anxiety and depression levels might lead to more severe
symptoms for those who suffer from the illness.

The study also looks at how lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol, smoking, and engaging in
physical exercise affect how severe reflux esophagitis is. According to the research, some
lifestyle decisions—like smoking and binge drinking—may make the illness more severe.

The study emphasizes how eating habits affect how severe reflux esophagitis is. The severity
of symptoms is known to increase in response to certain factors, including eating large meals,
eating spicy or acidic foods, and eating late at night.

Gaultney et al. (2024) In this study, Eating Habits, Depression, and Poor Sleep: Assessing the
Associations in First-Year College Students first-year college students' eating habits, sadness,
and sleep quality are examined. The study, which was published in SLEEP, attempts to
comprehend the relationships between these variables and how they might affect students'
general wellbeing during this phase of transition.

Research indicates a connection between depression and restless nights due to eating
behaviors. Depression and sleep issues may arise or worsen as a result of poor eating habits,
such as skipping meals or making poor food selections.
The study emphasizes how frequent depression is among first-year college students and how
it's linked to both unhealthy eating patterns and inadequate sleep. This implies that treating
depression might improve sleeping patterns and eating patterns.

Additionally, the study shows that first-year college students frequently have poor sleep
quality, which is linked to sadness and unhealthful eating patterns. This emphasizes how
critical it is to treat sleep issues in this demographic.

Tolentino et al. study from 2024 An epidemiological overview of overweight and obesity
among teenagers attending It focuses on the connections between these conditions and eating
patterns, levels of physical activity, and the presence of anxiety and depression.

The study reveals that teenagers in Mexico City's high schools have a significant prevalence
of obesity and overweight. This result emphasizes how critical it is to deal with these
problems in this particular demographic.

According to the study, eating poorly—such as consuming foods rich in calories and
beverages with added sugar—is linked to a higher risk of overweight and obesity in
teenagers. The prevalence of these disorders may be decreased with the support of
interventions aimed at these practices.

Low levels of physical activity are also associated with overweight and obesity in teenagers,
according to the research. Encouraging this demographic to engage in regular physical
activity could help solve these problems.

The study emphasizes how anxiety and sadness can coexist with fat and overweight in young
people. This shows how crucial it is to take mental health issues into account when
developing therapies to treat these disorders.

Shaikh et al. (2020) study looks into the eating and sleeping habits of teenagers who exhibit
depressive symptoms. The study, which was published in Maternal and Child Nutrition,
attempts to determine how these variables and the symptoms of depression in this population
are related.
According to the research, teens who are depressed may have bad eating habits, such missing
meals or overindulging in high-calorie items. These behaviors may be linked to inadequate
dietary intake and general health issues.

The study emphasizes that sleep disorders, such as trouble falling asleep or frequent
nighttime awakenings, may also affect teenagers with depression symptoms. Inadequate sleep
can worsen depressive symptoms and have an adverse effect on general health.

According to the research, eating habits, sleep patterns, and symptoms of sadness in teenagers
are related. In this demographic, resolving depression may include addressing unhealthy
eating patterns and poor sleep quality, as these variables may exacerbate or initiate symptoms
of depression.

Livzan (2023) investigate the connections between eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression
in IBS patients They compare clinical and laboratory data to determine the relationship
between these variables in IBS patients. Their goal is to shed light on the possible
relationship between eating patterns, anxiety, and depression and IBS symptoms and
management.

Zuccotti et al.(2024) explores the complex interplay among food preferences, depression, and
obesity, especially in relation to pediatric preventive measures. Their goal is to investigate the
possible interactions between these variables and how they might affect the onset and
treatment of childhood obesity and depression through their research, which was published in
Frontiers in Pediatrics. With an emphasis on informing preventative treatments meant to
promote healthier food habits and mitigate the risk of obesity and depression among juvenile
populations, the study most likely investigates the bidirectional association between dietary
patterns and mental health outcomes.

Kuo et al. (2015) looks into the relationships between melancholy in young Taiwanese people
and unhealthy eating behaviors and negative eating experiences. The study, which was
published in the Taiwan Journal of Public Health, is to investigate the relationships between
these variables and their possible role in the development of depression symptoms in young
people in Taiwan. The study most likely looks at how eating disorders and bad eating
experiences affect mental health outcomes, especially depression, emphasizing how
important it is to address dietary habits and experiences in order to support young people's
mental health.

Syunyakov et at. (2023) review as modifiable risk factors for depression. The narrative
review, which was published in Psychiatria Danubina, attempts to shed light on the potential
associations between certain food patterns and depression risk. The writers probably address
the possible mechanisms underpinning the association between diet and depression by
integrating the research already in existence. They also probably address the implications for
therapeutic and preventive measures. This review emphasizes the significance of dietary
interventions in treating depression and advances our knowledge of the function of nutrition
in mental health.

Sancar (2023) study looks at postpartum women's eating disorders and depression
assessments. The study, which was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
attempts to determine how common eating disorders and depression are among postpartum
women. The study emphasizes that eating disorders can arise during the postpartum phase,
including bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa. Several factors,
including as hormone fluctuations, body image issues, and social pressures, can impact these
diseases.

According to the study, eating disorders and sadness are significantly correlated among
postpartum women. Depression may be more common in women who suffer from eating
problems, and vice versa.

The study highlights how critical it is to identify and treat eating disorders in addition to
sadness in women who have just given birth. Improving general wellbeing and averting the
emergence of more serious mental health problems are two benefits of early detection and
management. The significance of nutrition for postpartum recovery, including both physical
and mental health, is also included in the study. Women's general well-being during this time
can be supported by consuming a good diet and getting enough nutrients.

Objectives and Hypothesis

Objectives

• To understand the relationship between depression and eating habits among girls
studying in sharda university

• To understand the relationship between depression and eating habits among boys
studying in sharda university

• To compare the relationship between depression and eating habits among boys and
girls studying in sharda university

Hypothesis

• There will be significant negative corelation between depression and eating habits on
girls studying in India

• There will be significant positive corelation between negative relationship between

depression and eating habits on boys studying in India

• Girls will score higher on depression as compared to boys studying in India

Research methodology

Aim

To understand the relationship between depression and eating habits among boys and girls
studying in sharda university

Sample:
Total sample will be 60 students studying in Sharda University

Tools used:

• Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R-10)- The

Center for Health and Epidemiology A 10-item self-report questionnaire called the
Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R-10) is used to measure depressed symptoms. It
helps screen for and track the degree of depression in clinical and research settings by
evaluating mood, behavior, and physical symptoms.

• Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26)-)- A self-report questionnaire with 26 items

called the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is used to test for eating disorders. It
evaluates behaviors and attitudes about food, weight, and body image, which can help
in early identification and treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Students studying in sharda university

• Age ranges from 18 to 25 years old.
• Both boys and girls can participate.
Exclusion criteria

• Students with any psychiatric illness.

• Students who are not willing to participate in the study

Ethical consideration

The research will be continued only after knowing willingness of university students to be
part of the research. The informed consent will be taken from participants, in which
informing the purpose of the study and right to withdraw. The participant’s confidentiality
will be maintained and did not used collected data for activities other than research.
Scoring and Analysis

The data will be collected through google forms. Scoring will be done as per the manual.

After scoring, analysis of data will be done using SPSS. Where t-test and correlational

analysis will be computed and results will be interpreted.

Result
Discussion

Eating habits and depression have a mild inverse link, as indicated by the negative correlation
coefficient of -0.178. The evidence suggests that depression tends to somewhat decline with
improved eating habits. But because of the limited amplitude of this link, it is likely that other
factors have a greater influence on depression levels. To fully comprehend certain food
patterns and how they affect mental health outcomes, more research is necessary. The
association between nutrition and depression is complex and may not have much of a
practical meaning, even though it is statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Healthy food choices may be linked to lower levels of depression, as suggested by the
negative correlation observed between eating habits and depression. Diets high in fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats have been related in studies to better mental health
and a lower risk of depression. On the other hand, diets heavy in sugar, processed foods, and
bad fats may be linked to increased depression rates. This link emphasizes the possible
relationship between diet and mental health and emphasizes the value of encouraging a
balanced diet as a preventative or therapeutic approach to depression. Nonetheless,
comprehensive approaches to mental health should also take into account individual traits and
other lifestyle variables.

Implications

Eating behaviors and depression can have an adverse effect on one's physical well-being,
worsen symptoms of depression, and raise the likelihood of eating disorders. In order to
provide complete care, enhance quality of life, and implement successful public health
initiatives that support mental health and good eating habits, it is imperative to address both
problems.

Future Research Direction

The relationship between depression and eating habits is likely to continue being an area of
significant research and exploration. Future directions might involve deeper investigations
into the mechanisms underlying this relationship, such as neurobiological pathways and
psychological factors. Additionally, there could be more emphasis on developing tailored
interventions that address both depression and unhealthy eating habits concurrently,
considering the bidirectional nature of their influence on each other.

Limitations

While the study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations.

• The sample size was relatively small and limited to a specific age group. Therefore,
the findings may not be generalizable to a broader population.

• The study relied on self-reported measures, which may be subject to bias. Future
research should consider these limitations and aim to conduct more comprehensive
studies with larger and more diverse samples.

References

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Roberta & Loiodice, Martina & Fabiano, Valentina & Zuccotti, Gianvincenzo.
(2024). Dietary habits, depression and obesity: an intricate relationship to explore in
pediatric preventive strategies. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 12.
10.3389/fped.2024.1368283.

Chu, P.-C & Su, M.-H & Yang, H.-J & Kuo, P.-H. (2015). The associations among unhealthy
eating habits, bad eating experiences and depression in Taiwanese youths. Taiwan
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Gaus, O. & Livzan, Maria. (2023). Eating Habits, Anxiety and Depression in Patients with
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Gorbachev, Dmitrii & Markina, Ekaterina & Chigareva, Oxana & Gradinar, Anna &
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Wang, Rongxin & Wang, Jing & Hu, Shuiqing. (2021). Study on the relationship of
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