Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Psychological Resilience among U.S. Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of BRFSS ۲۰۲۳ Data

Introduction: Psychological resilience, the ability to adapt to adversity and maintain emotional well-being, protects against mental health challenges. This study investigates its association with fruit and vegetable intake among U.S. adults using ۲۰۲۳ Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Methods: Daily fruit and vegetable consumption (grams/day) was estimated from frequency responses, assuming ۱.۵ servings (۱۳۵ grams) per instance. Resilience was assessed using a composite index based on poor mental health days (_MENTHLTH ≤۵ for high resilience) and emotional support (_EMTSUPP ۱-۲ for high), categorized as high, moderate, or low. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests were used, with multivariable regressions adjusting for confounders (income, education, smoking). Results: The high-resilience group consumed ۴۲۰ grams/day (SD=۱۱۵), compared to ۳۵۵ grams/day (SD=۱۰۵) in the low-resilience group (p<۰.۰۱, Cohen’s d=۰.۵۸). Sixty-seven percent of high-resilience individuals met the WHO ≥۴۰۰ grams/day recommendation, versus ۴۶% in the low-resilience group (p<۰.۰۰۱). Women and younger adults (۱۸-۲۴ years) in high-resilience groups had higher intakes (p<۰.۰۵). Multivariable logistic regression showed higher intake was associated with high resilience (OR=۱.۴۵, p<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: These findings suggest that nutrient-dense diets may enhance resilience, though longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causality and explore mechanisms like the gut-brain axis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Psychological Resilience ، Nutrition ، Mental health ، Fruit and Vegetable Intake ، Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)