The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels, Adherence To The Mediterranean Diet, And Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Öz

Anxiety disorders are a significant public health issue due to their high prevalence and negative impact on individuals' quality of life. The literature highlights that dietary habits are closely related to anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms; in particular, adherence to the Mediterranean diet may play a protective role in terms of mental and physical health. In this context, the present study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety levels, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and gastrointestinal symptoms in adults. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional research design on a sample of 517 adult volunteers aged 18–65. Data were collected using the Beck Anxiety Scale, the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, in addition to sociodemographic characteristics. A total of 517 individuals participated in the study, 59.2% of whom were women and 40.8% were men. The findings showed no significant relationship between anxiety levels and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. However, significant relationships were found between anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was also found to be negatively associated with gastrointestinal symptom subdimensions such as abdominal pain, reflux, and indigestion. These results indicate that anxiety is closely related to gastrointestinal symptoms, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet may play a protective role in alleviating these symptoms.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Anxiety
• Mediterranean diet
• gastrointestinal symptoms

Anksiyete Düzeyi ile Akdeniz Diyetine Uyum ve Gastrointestinal Semptomlar Arasındaki İlişki: Kesitsel Bir Analiz

Öz

Anksiyete bozuklukları, yüksek prevalansı ve bireylerin yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki olumsuz etkileri nedeniyle önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Literatürde, beslenme alışkanlıklarının anksiyete ve gastrointestinal semptomlarla yakından ilişkili olduğu; özellikle Akdeniz diyetine uyumun ruhsal ve bedensel sağlık açısından koruyucu bir rol üstlenebileceği vurgulanmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, mevcut çalışma yetişkin bireylerde anksiyete düzeyi, Akdeniz diyetine uyum ve gastrointestinal semptomlar arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışma, kesitsel araştırma deseni ile yürütülmüş olup 18–65 yaş aralığında gönüllü olarak katılan 517 yetişkin bireyden oluşan örneklem üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, sosyodemografik özelliklerin yanı sıra Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği, Akdeniz Diyetine Bağlılık Ölçeği ve Gastrointestinal Semptom Derecelendirme Ölçeği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Çalışmaya %59,2’si kadın, %40,8’i erkek olmak üzere toplam 517 kişi katılmıştır. Bulgular, anksiyete düzeyi ile Akdeniz diyetine uyum arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olmadığını göstermiştir. Ancak anksiyete ile gastrointestinal semptomlar arasında anlamlı ilişkiler saptanmış; ayrıca Akdeniz diyetine uyumun, karın ağrısı, reflü ve hazımsızlık gibi gastrointestinal semptom alt boyutlarıyla negatif yönde ilişkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, anksiyetenin gastrointestinal semptomlarla yakın ilişki içinde olduğunu, Akdeniz diyetine uyumun ise bu semptomların hafifletilmesinde koruyucu bir rol oynayabileceğini göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Anksiyete
• Akdeniz diyeti
• gastrointestinal semptomlar

Etik Beyan

Çalışmaya başlamadan önce çalışmanın etik kurul izini T.C. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Kurulu’ndan 10.01.2025 tarihli E-10420511-051-40425 karar numarası ile alınmıştır.

Kaynakça

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