Introduction
In recent years, there has been a general trend in contemporary culture toward the consumption of fast food and other junk foods. Due to their low cost, ease of access, and enticing flavor profiles, many people choose high-calorie processed foods. On the other hand, studies have shown that a diet that is high in junk food can have adverse impacts on one’s physical health, including the development of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
In addition, findings from recent studies have hinted at the possibility that eating junk food may potentially hurt one’s mental health (Firth et al., 2020). It is essential to realize that those who consume junk food on an infrequent basis are not the only ones susceptible to the adverse effects of junk food on their physical and mental health. Consuming foods high in calories but low in nutrients, even infrequently, can have adverse effects.
It may be challenging to completely abstain from junk food, but making healthier food choices and incorporating them into one’s diet can help promote improved physical and mental health. This may involve minimizing consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, while increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources, and whole grains. Additionally, practicing mindful eating and paying attention to hunger and fullness cues can help prevent overeating and support healthy weight maintenance.
Goals and Objectives
The purpose of this study proposal is to look at the link between junk food intake and negative mental health impacts. The following are the study’s particular objectives:
- To investigate the connection between junk food consumption and mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
- To identify potential mediating variables, such as physical exercise, sleep, and social support, that may influence the relationship between junk food intake and mental health outcomes.
- To analyze the disparities in the association between junk food intake and mental health when comparing different demographic categories, such as gender, age, and socioeconomic position.
- To make evidence-based recommendations for treatments targeted at decreasing the detrimental effects of junk food on mental health, such as encouraging good eating habits and making lifestyle adjustments.
This study proposal intends to expand people’s understanding of the influence of junk food intake on mental health and inform the development of effective treatments to improve mental health outcomes by attaining these objectives.
Literature Review
It is commonly known that junk food has a bad influence on one’s physical health; nevertheless, it is only relatively recently that researchers have discovered a correlation between the intake of junk food and issues with one’s mental health. In this literature review, researchers will investigate the most current findings from studies on the link between consuming junk food and one’s mental health.
According to the findings of a meta-analysis that was carried out by Hafizurrachman and Hartono (2021), the consumption of junk food is significantly associated with an increased risk of mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Those individuals who consumed a greater quantity of junk food had higher levels of mental health symptoms in comparison to those who consumed a lesser quantity of junk food. The data for this finding were obtained from 24 separate cross-sectional studies involving more than 120,000 participants.
The consumption of junk food can lead to numerous health problems, including high levels of sugar, fats, and salt, which are linked directly to a variety of chronic diseases that people suffer from frequently, like obesity, diabetes, and heart-related diseases. Firth et al. (2020) investigated the impact of diet and nutrition on human overall well-being.
The study found that healthy diets like those from the Mediterranean diet, when consumed, reduce the chances of depression as well as anxiety. The consumption of junk and processed foods causes higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health illnesses. Additionally, an individual who consumes a poor diet is likely to suffer from inflammation and a dysregulated stress response due to the negative impact on the microbiome.
A comprehensive study and meta-analysis by Del-Ponte et al. (2019) explored the association between food patterns and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The analysis revealed that a diet high in junk food and low in nutrient-dense foods was linked to a higher likelihood of ADHD in children and adolescents. The scientists concluded that a poor diet might severely affect brain growth and function, resulting in behavioral and psychological disorders.
Although there is significant growth in terms of expanding the quantity of research linking junk food intake to mental health impact, there is still insufficient public awareness and comprehension of the identified issue. In this regard, it is a significant concern, given the higher rate of junk food consumption worldwide.
In general, the findings of this research point to the intake of junk food as being associated with a variety of issues related to mental health, such as ADHD, anxiety, stress, and depression. The probable pathways via which junk food consumption significantly affects mental health include inflammation, dysregulated stress response, and poor brain growth and function. These findings underscore the need for public health initiatives that reduce junk food consumption and promote healthy eating habits to improve mental health outcomes.
In the future, research should focus on identifying effective strategies to decrease junk food consumption and foster healthy eating habits (Firth et al., 2020). Additionally, research should investigate the potential role that dietary interventions could play in the prevention and treatment of mental health issues.
Research Question/Hypothesis
The subject investigated in this study is: “What is the relationship between junk food consumption and mental health effects?” The core hypothesis to be tested is that increased consumption of junk food is negatively associated with mental health, meaning higher intake will lead to a greater prevalence of mental health problems.
Due to its accessibility, cost, and taste, junk food is a preferred food for many individuals. Yet, studies have indicated that a diet heavy in junk food may be detrimental to mental health. The purpose of this study topic is to investigate any possible connections between eating junk food and the results in terms of mental health.
One possible explanation is that eating junk food is associated with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. According to this hypothesis, people who eat a diet high in junk food may be more likely to experience mental health difficulties than others who follow a healthy diet. Another possible hypothesis is that eating junk food may have an unintended negative effect on mental health due to things like oxidative stress and inflammation. According to this hypothesis, eating junk food may cause the body to experience more oxidative stress and inflammation, which might aid in the emergence of mental health illnesses.
A mixed-methods technique could be employed to examine these ideas. A quantitative survey could be used to evaluate the relationship between junk food consumption and participants’ mental health outcomes. The association between junk food consumption and mental health outcomes can then be investigated using regression analysis, while accounting for potential confounding factors such as socioeconomic status and lifestyle choices.
Methodology
A quantitative research design will be employed in this study to investigate the relationship between taking junk food and the effects it brings on mental health. A food frequency questionnaire will be used to assess the amount of junk food consumed, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) will be used to evaluate the respondent’s mental health. The data will be evaluated using multiple regression analysis to identify the connection between eating junk food and the consequences it has on mental health, while taking into account any confounding factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic position.
Participants
Recruitment of study participants will be conducted through convenience sampling. Adults aged 18 or older who are willing to participate in the study will be eligible. The recruitment process will utilize a variety of different outlets, including social media, posters, and flyers. The study’s goal, the participant’s ability to decline participation, and the participant’s right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty will be clearly communicated to participants. A self-report questionnaire will be administered to participants who meet the inclusion criteria and consent to participate in the study.
Procedures
Participants will be asked to provide information on their demographics and socioeconomic status. The results will be gathered through an online survey. Participants will be required to complete a food frequency questionnaire that measures their consumption of junk food over the past 30 days. The food frequency questionnaire will have items such as “How often did you consume fast food, fried meals, and sugary snacks over the previous month?” Using a Likert scale from 1 (never) to 5 (every day), participants will be asked to select their responses.
DASS-21 will be used to measure mental health. It is used widely to measure the depression level, stress, and anxiety in human beings. It contains 21 gadgets that measure those three constructs over the past week. Members could be requested to indicate the volume to which they were skilled for each symptom on a Likert scale, ranging from 0 (did not practice at all) to 3 (carried out to me very much, or most of the time). The rankings for every construct can be calculated by summing the ratings of the applicable objects. Higher ratings suggest greater tiers of melancholy, tension, or stress.
Data Analysis
The data will be analyzed using multiple regression. The DASS-21 scores will be used to assess the dependent variable, participants’ mental health. Junk food consumption will serve as the independent variable and will be assessed using the food frequency questionnaire. Covariates, which are also known as potential confounding factors, will be included in the study.
These covariates include age, gender, and socioeconomic status. This study intends to test the prediction that there is a negative correlation between junk food consumption and adverse mental health outcomes; consequently, higher junk food consumption is expected to correlate with a larger number of reported mental health problems (Del-Ponte et al., 2019). A significance level of p < 0.05 will be used to evaluate the results.
Ethical Considerations
In this study, researchers will adhere to the ethical standards set forth for conducting research involving human volunteers. Every piece of information gathered will be treated as strictly confidential and used solely for research purposes (Hasan et al., 2021). Before participating in the research project, individuals will be required to provide their informed consent. The Institutional Review Board has given its clearance to proceed with this study.
References
Del-Ponte, B., Quinte, G. C., Cruz, S., Grellert, M., & Santos, I. S. (2019). Dietary patterns and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 252, 160-173.
Firth, J., Gangwisch, J. E., Borsini, A., Wootton, R. E., & Mayer, E. A. (2020). Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental well-being? BMJ, 369.
Hafizurrachman, M., & Hartono, R. K. (2021). Junk food consumption and symptoms of mental health problems: A meta-analysis for public health awareness. Kesmas: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Nasional (National Public Health Journal), 16(1).
Hasan, N., Rana, R. U., Chowdhury, S., Dola, A. J., & Rony, M. K. K. (2021). Ethical considerations in research. Journal of Nursing Research, Patient Safety and Practice 2799-1210, 1(01), 1-4.