Abstract:
The current study was intended to explore the relationship between nutritive behaviors (healthy and unhealthy food choices) with depressive symptoms among university students of Islamabad. Sample comprised of university students (N=300) age (M=21, S.D= 1.2). Students enrolled in bachelors and master’s program who excessively consume unhealthy foods from public and private sectors universities were selected. Convenient sampling was used for collection of data. Two instruments were used to measure variables i-e. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for measuring healthy and unhealthy food consumption and depression. Results indicated that there was a negative relationship between nutritional behavior (healthy food choice and unhealthy food choice) and depressive symptoms. Results also indicated there was a positive relationship between nutritional behavior (healthy food choice and unhealthy food choice) and depressive symptoms. Moreover, results showed that healthy food choices do not predicts changes between unhealthy food choices and depressive symptoms. Also, there has been found a difference on the variable of gender and age on nutritional behavior with depressive symptoms. Further, this study would open new ways and findings for other researchers with respect to analyzing students affected by unhealthy food consumption that can adversely affect their mental wellbeing upon which they can be provided with psychological help. Awareness sessions can also be conducted in universities in light of unhealthy food choice and depressive symptoms.
