Was There a Relationship Between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mental Health of College Students During COVID-19?

Summary

This cross-sectional survey of 196 college students found no significant relationship between daily fruit or vegetable consumption and depression, anxiety, or stress levels during the initial lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the study documented moderate-to-strong correlations between depression, anxiety, and stress themselves, fruit and vegetable intake did not emerge as a meaningful correlate of these mental health measures in this population.

Regional applicability

The study was conducted in the United States and focused on a US college population; findings may not directly transfer to United Kingdom university contexts, which have different dietary patterns, lockdown timing, and campus structures. However, the methodological approach and timing during early pandemic disruption could inform similar UK research on student nutrition and mental health.

Key measures

Average daily fruit and vegetable consumption (cups); Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) severity scores; Pearson correlation coefficients

Outcomes reported

The study assessed the relationship between daily fruit and vegetable intake (measured via food frequency questionnaire) and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress measured by DASS-21) in college students during early COVID-19 lockdown.

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