일개 대학 여대생의 가구원수에 따른 채소·과일 섭취와 정신건강

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increasing importance placed on the rise of single-person households. Generally, single-person households tend to consume more processed foods such as instant food and fast food compared to other types of households. In addition, they often practice relatively unhealthy and unbalanced diets with low consumption of vegetables and fruits. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends consuming more than 400g of vegetables and fruits per day to prevent cardiovascular disease. Vegetables and fruits contain various phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, antioxidant nutrients, and dietary fiber. They are also important for the intake of micronutrients related to coenzymes that regulate the metabolic process of nutrients in the body, reducing the risk of various chronic and cardiovascular diseases. While many studies have been conducted on vegetable and fruit intake primarily to prevent illnesses such as obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, there is insufficient research on the relationship between mental health and the number of households. Given the increasing number of single-person households, we conducted vegetable and fruit intake according to the number of household members for female college students, and examined the relationship with mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate fundamental data that can contribute to improving the quality of life. This study conducted a survey on the number of household members, preferences for vegetables and fruits, and eating habits of female college students at Chosun University to find out the effect of vegetable and fruit intake and mental health according to the number of household members. The study subjects were divided into female college students from single-female person households and households of two or more household members. Significant differences were found in the frequency of food delivery consumption. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in fruit preferences and eating habits between female college students from single-person households and those from households with two or more household members, particularly in the reasons for not preferring fruit. There was also a significant difference in the frequency of vegetable intake according to delivery food consumption among all female college students.

The study revealed a significant difference in fruit intake frequency according to nutrition education experience. The study revealed a significant difference in fruit intake frequency according to nutrition education experience. Additionally, the average difference in mental health scores between female college students from single-person households and those from households with two or more females indicated a significantly higher depression score among female college students from single-person households. Analyzing mental health according to vegetable intake showed a significant difference in mental health problems, depressive symptoms, and stress among female college students in single-person households. Analyzing mental health according to fruit consumption showed significant differences in depressive symptoms, anxiety, worry, and stress among all female college students. The analysis of the relationship between the number of household members, vegetable and fruit intake, and mental health revealed a negative correlation between the frequency of fruit intake (3-4 times a week and 1-2 times a week) and mental health problems, depressive symptoms, anxiety, worry, and stress.

The study concluded that there is a correlation between fruit intake and mental health, suggesting that increasing fruit intake can contribute to reducing mental health issues. Overall, this study provided insights into the eating habits and preferences of female university students from different household types and examined their relationship with mental health. The results will serve as basic data for addressing the needs of female college students from single-person households and households with two or more females, both of which are increasing in number. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of cultivating proper eating habits and providing adequate nutrition education to improve overall health and quality of life. In order to increase the intake of vegetables and fruits, and to reduce mental health problems in the future, it is recommended that nutrition education in childhood and adolescence will be important, and policies are needed accordingly.