| Aims
To identify the association between mental health problems, eating behavior patterns, nutrient
intakes and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Iranian female adolescents.
Materials and methods
The current cross-sectional study conducted among three high-schools randomly selected
from 10-day-public high schools in the selected sub-county from Tabriz city-Iran between
December 2015 through March 2016. Participants were a sample of 107 adolescent girls
aged 15±17 years old. Anthropometric parameters were measured and assessments of
HRQoL, mental health problems and eating behavioral patterns were performed by Short
Form 36 (SF-36), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) and Eating Behavioral
Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ) respectively. Dietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative
Food-Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) adapted for the Iranian society. Quality
of life was measured with HRQoL questionnaire. Quantitative analysis using independent
sample t test was performed for comparison of continuous variables between two subgroups
(unlikely, possible/probable) of each category of mental health problem. Multiple logistic
regression was used to measure the potential predictors (e.g. eating patterns and HRQoL)
of mental health problems in two models of crude and adjusted for age and body mass index
(BMI). P values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Results
Indicators of conduct problems and hyperactivity disorders were the most prevalent mental
health problems among female adolescents (25.2% and 18.6% respectively). The prevalence
of hyperactivity disorders among female adolescents was 35.5%. Female adolescents
in high scores of `snacking and convenience', `planning ahead' and `meal skipping' eating
patterns were more likely to have indicators of emotional disorders (P < 0.05). Also, being inthe high tertile of `low fat eating' pattern made adolescents less likely to have hyperactivity
disorders (P < 0.05). Moreover, according to our finding, high scores of vitality and mental
health components of HRQoL were associated with reduced likelihood of emotional disorders,
conduct disorders and hyperactivity disorders. No significant difference in terms of
BMI and nutrient intakes in different categories of mental health problems according to SDQ
scoring was identified.
Conclusions
In the current study unhealthy eating patterns including `snacking and convenience', `planning
ahead' and `meal skipping' eating patterns were positive predictors of ªemotional disorders
º while ªlow fatº eating pattern was negative predictor of hyperactivity disorders. |