Nutritional Psychology

  Higher Fruit Intake Linked to Lower Depression and Anxiety Risk in Teenagers Fruit consumption may be associated with better mental health outcomes during adolescence. A 2026 study from the University of Sydney found that teenagers who ate an additional serving of fruit each day had a lower risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. The findings also linked higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages with an increased risk of both conditions. However, these associations do not establish that diet directly causes or prevents mental health symptoms. Study Overview and Methodology Researchers examined data from 6,537 adolescents attending 71 secondary schools across New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Participants were approximately 12.5 years old at the beginning of the study and were followed from Year 7 to Year 10. Over the four-year study period, participants completed annual surveys reporting their usual fruit and vegetable intake a...

  Nutrition and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults How might nutritional health relate to life satisfaction in later life? A study conducted in Türkiye suggests that older adults at greater risk of malnutrition may also report lower life satisfaction. CNP News published in October 2026, the research highlights a potential connection between nutritional risk and psychological well-being among adults aged 65 and older. Study Overview Researchers Emine Merve Ekici, Pınar Göbel, and Neslihan Arslan analyzed data from a web-based, cross-sectional survey of 779 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older . The study focused on older adults living independently in their communities rather than those in hospitals or nursing homes. The researchers examined whether nutritional risk was associated with life satisfaction. How Were Nutrition and Life Satisfaction Measured? Nutritional risk was assessed using the Turkish version of the Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE-TR) . This 12-item m...