RA#1 – Introduction
June 11, 2015
Effect Of Diet On Mental Health Development Introduction
Mental health problems are believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including age, genetics and environmental factors. One of the most obvious, yet under-recognized factors in the development of major trends in mental health is the role of nutrition.(Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recent evidence suggests that good nutrition is essential for our mental health and that a number of mental health conditions may be influenced by dietary factors.. The body of evidence linking both diet and mental health is growing at a rapid pace ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recently, there have been a number of published studies identifying an inverse association between diet quality and the common mental disorders, namely depression and anxiety, in adults (Bellisle, 2004). Other prospective studies suggest that diet quality influences the risk for depressive illness in adults over time. The evidence indicates that food plays a contributing role in the development, management and prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008).
Nutrition is usually considered to be important for physical health but mental health must be taken as equally important. Research in the field has shown that nutrition is one of many factors that
Food is essential for life, our dietary intake is influenced by many different factors this includes:
In life, many people participate in various daily events and activities that help them enjoy being who they are. People may enjoy getting together with friends, going to the mall, going to an amusement park or simply finding relaxation in nature. However, a big part of everyone’s life is of course eating and many people find pleasure in doing so. Eating is a very enjoyable and delectable must for everyone but should be done so, like everything in life, in a smart and intelligent way. Being smart and perceptive when eating is a large part of nutrition.
Mental and physical health should not be separated, as poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of poor mental health. Furthermore, mental and physical health means that individuals are able to realise their own abilities to cope with normal stresses by making a contribution to society, where they are physically and mentally well (Mental Health Foundation, 2017).
To determine the level of my fiber intake from a 3 day sample of my diet, I performed a Prospective Diet Analysis. On average, I consumed 22.3 grams of fiber, just missing the recommendation of 25 grams. Coherent to the findings of the related studies, my cholesterol intake decreased and by the third day totaled 124.5 mg, which relates to 42% of the Daily Recommended Intake of 300 mg.
Proper nutrition is important in maintaining a long and healthy life. Most Americans are rushed due to their busy work schedules, and do not take the time to plan their diets properly. Like me, most Americans are unaware of the importance of eating a healthy diet and consume too many foods without the proper nutrients. Throughout my life I have been fortunate. I have not had any major health problems, and have been able to consume most foods without having to worry about gaining weight. These last two years, however, I started to gain weight and have become concerned with my diet. Changing my poor eating habits has been difficult for me, however, having this assignment has taught me that it is not as difficult as I previously
Learning about our diet is very important, and a diet analysis is a good way to find out how our diet is helping or affecting our organism. For instant, when we analyze our diet we find out if the nutrients in our diet met the target amount our body needs to function adequately.
Mental health is defined as our emotional psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. Mental health also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Maintaining healthy mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence and throughout adulthood. People suffering from mental health disorders often see a change in their mood, thinking and behavior. One in 5 Americans adults experience a mental health issue. One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression. And 1 in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental health illness (Mental Health Myths and Facts). Factors contribute to mental health problems including; biological facts, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as traumatic events or abuse, or family history or mental health problems. Positive allows people to realize their full potential, cope with stress of life, work productively and making meaningful contributions to society (What is
Nutrition is crucial to keeping our body and the mind healthy, however, many people who struggle with stress, anxiety or depression tend to reach for food that eases them such as chips or fast food this is known to be “comfort food”. This food has a direct effect on students energy levels and interrupts them to perform well in their daily life. Moreover, there are many times when post-secondary students are load with so much on their plate that many don't feel the need to eat because they are too overwhelmed to eat or are not motivated too. Mental health is a prominent factor in a university student life which inability impacts their ability to perform a day-to-day task due to chronic
Please do not use cell phone to text during class as it distracts other students.
One of the main arguments for mental and physical wellbeing receiving the same funding and attention is that mental health can impact physical health drastically (and vice versa). There are various ways in which bad mental health has been shown to be harmful to physical health, mental issues account for 23% of burdening diseases in the UK, these issues also have a dramatic effect on life expectancy. Mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia have been linked to heart disease and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, approximately 24 million people suffer from schizophrenia and over 350 million people have depression worldwide. People suffering from serious mental health issues also often experience high blood pressure and high levels of stress hormones therefore an
eating. To recognize the risk factors of psychosocial and also environmental factors for health two
Our current lifestyles and daily diets are filled with processed foods, fast foods and generally very have little health benefits. This in turn has seen the increase of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety/
During her four months spent in Italy, Gilbert explored the impacts of food on one’s health and overall happiness. Pasta, the staple meal and often the symbol of Italy, is a so-called “comfort food” – foods that provide consolation or a feeling of well-being, often high in sugar and carbohydrates. The American depression rate is approximately 9.6%, a significantly greater amount than Italy’s 3.8%. Important to note is Italy’s Mediterranean diet, high in fish and shellfish, which are both high in a fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential building block for the brain structure. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is a link between DHA deficiency and an increase in the prevalence of depression in the United States. One’s diet has a huge influence on their happiness and well-being; perhaps if Americans had a more balanced diets, our nation’s depression rate would show a decrease.
In the modern era of medicine, doctors have been making discoveries about how nutrition affects our mental health. They are making connections between the diet of an adolescent and how it affects their moods. An example that has been sweeping the nation, is ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ (ADHD) is a ‘brain diseases.’ Commonly found in children in their adolescent stages.
The third text, How food can improve your mental health shows the possible connection between your diet and your mental health. Emma who is 34 years old was suffering from anxiety, depression and mental health, but after meeting up with a doctor they changed her diet from fast foods and general poor eating habits to more fresh foods and less sugar. After this change she noticed an improvement in her mental health.