Anxiety status and coping strategies in association with sociodemographic factors, dietary and lifestyle habits in Greece

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional habits, lifestyle, anxiety, and coping strategies

Background: 

Anxiety is an underestimated and often undiagnosed subclinical disorder, that burdens the general public of modern societies and increases illness susceptibility.

Methods:

 Study group consisted of 693 individuals living in Peloponnese, Greece. A standardized questionnaire consisting the dietary habits and lifestyle questionnaire, the trait Anxiety STAI-X-2 questionnaire, the HAM-A questionnaire and the brief-COPE questionnaire was used. Principal components analysis identified the factors from the questionnaires and stepwise multivariate regression analysis investigated their relationships.

Results:

Weekly consumption of fruits, tomatoes, salads and lettuce, together with Εmotional/Ιnstrumental support, Denial/Behavioural disengagement, substance use and self-blame, were the most important predictors of anxiety scores. Positive reframing/Humour and Acceptance/Planning also associated with the Positive STAI factor and decreased anxiety scores

Conclusion:

 Healthy nutritional habits, comprised by consumption of salads and fruits, together with adaptive coping strategies, such as Positive reframing/Humour and Active problem solving may provide the most profound improvement in the anxiety levels of a healthy population in Peloponnese Greece.