Association Between Nutrition Patterns and Metabolic and Psychological State Among Young Adults

Obesity is an increasing global public health problem with severe correlated chronic diseases (physical and mental disorders). The aim of this study is to identify nutrient patterns among young adults who are overweight or obese based on their dietary intake, and to explore the associations between nutrient patterns and sociodemographic and clinical variables (anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and psychological).

A voluntary response (non-random) sample involving N = 188 overweight and obese university students (men and women, with a mean age of 20.8 years [SD = 2.6]) was recruited. Pregnancy, endocrine-genetic disorders, weight-loss diet and use of treatments that could affect endocrine parameters were defined as exclusion criteria.

Three nutritional patterns were identified, that explained 69% of the total variance: (a) NP1, characterised by a high intake of minerals and vitamins; (b) NP2, characterised by a high intake of carbohydrates; and (c) NP3, characterised by a high intake of fats and sodium. Higher mean scores in NP1 were related to female gender (p = 0.015), while higher NP1 and NP2 levels were associated to divorced/separated marital status (p = 0.007 and p = 0.041, respectively). Path analysis revealed a direct relationship between being within metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) levels and higher levels of anxiety (standardised coefficient St.Coeff = 0.14, p = 0.049), depression (St.Coeff = 0.17, p = 0.014) and stress (St.Coeff = 0.13, p = 0.048). In addition, the metabolic risk profile (the classification into MUO vs. MHO) achieved a mediational link between the factor scores for NP1 and a worse psychological state.

This study provides empirical knowledge to design more effective prevention and treatment plans for young adults who are overweight or obese, considering the impact nutritional patterns have on metabolic and psychopathological distress.