Nutrition and mental health

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Learn about nutrition and mental health

Sarah Ashworth, Director of our Schools and Families Programme, explores the link between nutrition and mental health. Taking account of current evidence and research, she looks at the benefits of a healthy diet on our mental wellbeing.

References

van  der  Pols  (2018)  Nutrition  and  mental  health—bi-directional  associations and  multidimensional  measures.  Public  Health  Nutrition,  21(5):  829-830.

Stevenson,  R.,  Francis,  H.,  Attuquayefio,  T.,  et  al.  (2020)  Hippocampal-dependent  appetitive control  is  impaired  by  experimental  exposure  to  a  Western-style  diet.  Royal  Society  Open Science,  7  (2). Available here

Dimov, S.,  Mundy, L.,  Bayer,  J.  et  al.,  (2019)  Diet  quality  and  mental  health  problems  in  late childhood.  Nutrition  Neuroscience, DOI:  10.1080/1028415X.2019.1592288.

Hosker,  D.,  Elkins, M.  and Potter,  M. (2019)  Promoting  Mental  Health  and  Wellness  in  Youth Through  Physical  Activity,  Nutrition,  and  Sleep.  Child  and  Adolescent  Psychiatric  Clinics  of North America,  28(2):  171-193.

Memariani, Z., Farzaei, M.H., Ali, A. and Momtaz, S. (2020) Nutritional and bioactive characterization of unexplored food rich in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients in Food,157-175

Peirce, J.M. and Alviña, K. (2019) The role of inflammation and the gut microbiome in depression and anxiety. The Journal of Neuroscience Research, 97 (10):1223-1241.

Hayes, C.L., Petere, B.J. and Foster, J.A, (2020) Microbes and mental health: Can the microbiome help explain clinical heterogeneity in psychiatry? Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology (58).

Simkin, R. (2019) Microbiome and Mental Health, Specifically as It Relates to Adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21) 93.

Provensi, G., Schmidt, S.D., Boehme, M., et al. (2019) Preventing adolescent stress-induced cognitive and microbiome changes by diet. PNAS, 116 (19): 9644-9651.

Carvalho, K.,Ronca, D., Michels, N. (2018) Does the Mediterranean Diet Protect against Stress-Induced Inflammatory Activation in European Adolescents? The HELENA Study. Nutrients  10 (11) 1770.

Antonopoulo,  M.,  Mantzorou, M.,  Serdari, A., et  al.  (2019)  Evaluating Mediterranean  diet adherence  in  university  student  populations:  Does  this  dietary  pattern  affect  students' academic  performance  and  mental  health?  The  International  Journal  of  Health  Planning and  Management, 35(1):  5-21.

Thomas, D., Cote, T., Lawhorne, L., et al. (2008) Understanding Clinical Dehydration and Its Treatment. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 9: 292–301

Ganio. M. Armstrong, L., Case, D., et al. (2011) Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. British Journal of Nutrition, 106, 1535–1543.

Stachenfeld, N., Leone, C. and Mitchell, E. (2018) Water intake reverses dehydration associated impaired executive function in healthy young women. Physiology and Behavior, 185, 103-111.

Anglin,  R.,  Samaan,  Z.,  Walter, S.  and McDonald,  S.  (2013)  Vitamin  D  Deficiency  and Depression  in  Adults:  Systematic  Review  and  Meta-Analysis.  The  British  Journal  of  Psychiatry, 202:  100-107.

Ju,  S-Y.,  Lee, Y.-J. and  Jeong, S.-N.  (2013)  Serum  25-hydroxyvitamin  D  levels  and  the  risk  of depression:  A  systematic  review  and  meta-analysis.  The  Journal  of  Nutrition,  Health  and Aging,17:  447-455.

Utter,  J.,  Denny,  S.,  Lucassen,  M  and  Dyson,  B.  (2016)  Adolescent  Cooking  Abilities  and Behaviors:  Associations  With  Nutrition  and  Emotional Well-Being.  Journal  of  Nutrition Education  and  Behavior, 48  (1):  35-41.

Keeley, J and Fields, M. (2004) Appleton central alternative charter high school's nutrition and wellness program. Better Food, Better Behaviour. Available at: https://www.sustainlv.org/one/wp-content/uploads/Appleton-school-food-study.pdf

NHS (2019) The Eatwell Guide

Rios-Hernández, A., Alda, J., Farran-Codina, A., et al. (2017) The Mediterranean Diet and ADHD in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 139 (2): e20162027.

Sobieski, E., Sobieski, J. and Milner, R. (2019) Dietary Screening—Questioning Adolescent Dietary Trends and Providing Evidence-Based Dietary Recommendations. Adolescent health Screening: an Update in the Age of Big Data, 21-32.

Stevens, A., Rucklidge, J. and Kennedy, M. (2019) Epigenetics, nutrition and mental health. Is there a relationship? Nutritional Neuroscience, 21(9): 602-613.

Utter, J., Denny, S., Peiris-John, R., et al. (2017) Family Meals and Adolescent Emotional WellBeing: Findings From a National Study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 49 (1): 67-72.

Resources

Resource

Asking for help (adult)

When it’s time to talk about your mental health.

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Asking for help (young person)

A simple guide for young people to help talk about their feelings.

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CREATE a university mental health strategy

Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for University

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Depression booklet

Featuring useful facts, figures and information, this booklet also contains sources of help and what not to say to people experiencing depression

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Five Ways to Wellbeing posters

Seven page poster pack - one for each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing: connect, give, learn, be active, take notice. Plus two all-in-one posters.

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Guide to depression for parents and carers

This booklet aims to help recognise and understand depression and how to get appropriate help for their child

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Resource

Guide to depression for parents and carers (Welsh)

This booklet aims to help parents recognise and understand depression and how to get appropriate help for their child

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Resource

Life at university (A4 poster)

A4 poster with QR code for students to find information about life at university,

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Life at university (A6 postcard)

A6 postcard with QR code for students to find information about life at university,

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Low mood poster

Poster created in partnership with Bank Workers Charity highlighting common causes of low mood, how to help yourself feel better and information on where to get more help.

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Patent and trade mark professionals

Protecting your mental health and wellbeing: A guide for patent and trade mark professionals

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Perfectionism

Aiming high can sometimes come at a cost. This eight page guide looks at ‘unhealthy perfectionism’ – how to spot it and advice on how to develop effective interventions.

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Schools' mental health policy template

Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for Schools 

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Supervision in education

Ten top tips for setting up staff supervision groups in schools

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Taking care of your mental health for occupational health practitioners

This resource for occupational health practitioners suggests ways for you to take time out of your day to focus on yourself in order to stay healthy and stress-free.

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Resource

Top Tips For Students

A booklet giving tips on how students can look after their mental health.

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Resource

Warning signs poster

A bold A3 poster showing the warning signs that tell you when someone may be depressed. This poster could save a life.

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Resource

Wellbeing Action Plan (child)

A simple, resource to help young people keep themselves well and get them through difficult times

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Resource

Wellbeing Action Plan (young person)

Our Wellbeing Action Plan is for all young people attending sixth form or college.

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Resource

Wellbeing Activities

Activity sheets on the five ways to wellbeing.

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Wellbeing Challenge 2021 school pack

Lesson plan and activities based on the five ways to wellbeing

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Resource

Wellbeing Journal

A simple, journal to help young people think about and write down the things which make them feel good.

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Resource

Five ways to wellbeing bookmark

Our bookmark features the five ways to wellbeing and some helpful techniques for when you’re feeling a bit worried. Use it as a colourful way to mark your place and calm your mind.

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Resource

Five ways to wellbeing bookmark for children

Our bookmark for children features the five ways to wellbeing and helpful techniques for when you’re feeling worried. It’s a colourful way to mark your place and calm your mind!

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Resource

Wellbeing Action Plan (adult)

A simple, resource to help adults support and maintain their wellbeing.

View resource

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