Work

Mediterranean diet and emotion regulation

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mediterranean dietary patterns have been associated with cardiovascular and psychological health, including positive affect. Emotion regulation has not been linked to this pattern. OBJECTIVE: The present study prospectively examined the relationship between Mediterranean diet and later emotion regulation and whether positive or negative affect mediated any such relationship. METHODS: Data was derived from the Adventist Health Study-2 (2002-6), and Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Substudy (2006-7; 2010-11). We assessed adherence to Mediterranean diet using the Trichopoulou score at baseline, and responses to Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (2006-7) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (2010-11) in 1,699 men and 3,293 women. Statistical analyses were performed using multiple linear regression and Hayes PROCESS SPSS macros. RESULTS: = 0.006, 95% CI [-0.23, -0.004]) but unrelated to difficulty with awareness of emotional responses or lack of access to strategies for regulating emotions. Positive and negative affect fully mediated the diet and clarity relationship by respectively decreasing and increasing difficulty with clarity (effect scores -0.007 [95% CI -0.009, -0.005] and -0.005 [95% CI -0.008, -0.003]). CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean diet adherence showed association with emotional clarity via increasing positive and decreasing negative affect.

Source: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

DOI: 10.3233/mnm-140016

Authors: Megan Elizabeth Holt, Jerry W. Lee, Kelly R. Morton, Serena Tonstad

Institution: Loma Linda University

Language: English

Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute