Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewedConventional

Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university undergraduate students: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Elena Sheldon, Melanie Simmonds‐Buckley, Claire Bone, Thomas S. Mascarenhas, Natalie Chan, Megan WİNCOTT, Hannah Gleeson, Karmen Sow, Daniel Hind, Michael Barkham

Journal of Affective Disorders · 2021

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Summary

This 2021 systematic review synthesised quantitative evidence on the epidemiology of mental health disorders among university undergraduate students, examining both prevalence rates and associated risk factors. The work sits substantially outside Vitagri's core remit, focusing on clinical mental health epidemiology in an educational setting rather than farming systems, soil health, nutrient density, or food-based interventions. Whilst individual primary studies may incidentally have considered lifestyle or dietary factors, this review's primary contribution is to student mental health epidemiology rather than nutritional science or food systems.

Regional applicability

This review is not applicable to Vitagri's focus on farming systems and food-based approaches to health. It addresses clinical mental health epidemiology in an academic population and does not engage with agricultural, soil, or food system dimensions.

Key measures

Prevalence estimates of mental health disorders (likely depression, anxiety, and other conditions); identified risk factors associated with mental health problems in student populations.

Outcomes reported

The study systematically reviewed and meta-analysed quantitative evidence on the prevalence of mental health disorders in university undergraduate students and their associated risk factors.

Theme
General food systems / other
Subject
Out of scope / non-food
Study type
Systematic Review
Study design
Systematic review with meta-analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Other
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.054
Catalogue ID
SNmpeyuwfj-3c8rnm

Topic tags

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