The impact of nutrition education on diet and mental health in psychiatric disorders, substance, and alcohol addiction

This study evaluated the impact of diet and nutrition education, combined with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, on nutritional habits, physical activity, and health outcomes. Conducted at a psychiatric hospital in Ankara, the research used a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test control group design with 40 participants aged 19-64, divided into a case group (CG; 20 people) and a control group (KG; 20 people). The CG received 10 sessions of nutrition education, while the KG did not. Education topics included healthy eating, energy balance, and vitamin and mineral intake.Data collected before and after the intervention periods included: a descriptive questionnaire form to determine general information, health status, nutritional habits, and demographic characteristics; a 24-hour dietary recall to assess dietary intake; the CES Depression Scale and Beck Anxiety Scale to measure psychological status and its relation to nutrition; the Eating Attitude Test, Modified Food Addiction Scale, Night Eating Questionnaire, and Emotional Appetite Questionnaire; anthropometric measurements for body composition; and the Nutrition Knowledge Scale to assess nutritional knowledge levels.Results showed a decrease in the CG's energy intake from 2500 to 2100 kcal (p<0,01) and carbohydrate intake from 55% to 48% (p<0,05), with vitamin C intake increasing by 40% (p<0,01) and iron intake by 35% (p<0,01). Depression scores dropped by five points (p<0.01) on the CES Scale and anxiety scores by four points (p<0,05) on the Beck Scale. Nutritional knowledge significantly increased (p<0,01). In the KG, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference significantly increased (t=-5,74, -5,37, -11,3, and -11,4; p<0,01). Significant differences in body weight and BMI changes were found between the groups (U=11,0 and 12,0; p<0.01). The study suggests that nutritional interventions play a crucial role in managing psychiatric disorders and substance addiction. Healthcare providers and policymakers should effectively integrate nutritional interventions to enhance treatment approaches.