Associations of Healthy Eating Behavior with Mental Health and Health-Related Quality of Life: Results from the Korean National Representative Survey

Abstract

Background: Healthy eating behaviors may be related to mental health and health-related quality of life. This study investigates the associations between diet quality, mental health, and health-related quality of life among men and women in Korea. Methods: A total of 6823 participants, aged 19, from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2018 were included. Their overall diet quality was estimated using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the associations between diet quality, mental health, and quality of life. Results: The prevalence of stress perception and depression was highest in the lowest tertile of the KHEI score and higher for women than men. Among men, a significant association was observed only for stress perception and depressive symptoms in the second tertile, with odds ratios of 0.745 (95% CI, 0.585–0.949) and 0.519 (95% CI, 0.275–0.980). In contrast, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for stress perception, depressive symptoms, and low EQ-5D index among women in the highest tertile were 0.668 (95% CI, 0.541–0.823), 0.464 (95% CI, 0.288–0.746), and 0.722 (95% CI, 0.566–0.920), and significant dose–response associations were observed. Conclusions: A higher-quality diet was associated with a lower risk of stress and depression and a better quality of life. Thus, healthy eating behaviors may improve mental health and quality of life.