Role of Dietary Fat Intake in Obesity and Its Association with Mental Health Among Adults of the University of Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Fat in the diet is a vital macronutrient, which supplies energy and effects on body weight, chronic conditions and psychological health. The purpose of the current study was the relationship between food intake of fat and obesity risks with mental health of normal weight and underweight university students who may be at risk for obesity in later life. In this study, 271 adult participants (age range 18-35 years) were recruited using convenience sampling for the descriptive cross-sectional study of 4 months period in the University of Lahore. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing dietary fat intake, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, eating habits, eating patterns, and psychological well-being. Most participants had a normal BMI (165/271, 60.9%), while 58 (21.4%) were underweight. Although the majority of children were not overweight, amongst the majority, they exhibited a variety of unhealthy eating habits such as late-night eating and food avoidance, including eating fatty foods, eating fat foods after foods were eaten, and feeling guilty after eating fat foods. The females were significantly more anxious than the males (p=0.000), and were more likely to eat fried or fast-food during stress (p=0.000). BMI was significantly related to changes in weight, late-at-night eating, avoidance of meals and guilt for eating fatty foods. Fried food intake and stress was significantly related to physical activity. When university students were excluded from the obese group, an unhealthy amount of dietary fat intake was also linked to psychological issues, especially anxiety and stress, especially among youth females. The results also emphasize the importance of nutrition and mental health education that should be offered in universities, no matter students' weight status.