Association between dietary and suicidal behaviors based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2015-2020)

• Published in: Epidemiology and health p. e2022033
• Main Authors: Lee, Youngrong, Jeon, Ye Jin, Shim, Jee-Seon, Jung, Sun Jae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 12-03-2022
• Subjects: Child Nutrition Sciences; Child Psychiatry; Food Insecurity; Suicide attempted; Suicide ideation
• ISSN: 2092-7193

This study aimed to interrogate the association between dietary and suicidal behaviors of Korean adolescents and to identify the modified effect in the association in children of immigrant parents.
The sample (n=368,138) was collected from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) from 2015 to 2020. Participants who agreed to provide family information (n=313,689) were classified according to the nationality of their parents. The study variables were 11 self-reported dietary behaviors, and their composite dietary behaviors (i.e. "nutrient deprivation" and "unhealthy food consumption") as results of principle component analysis. The association between study variables and suicide-related outcomes (i.e., suicide ideation, planning and attempts) was analyzed by multiple logistic regression by adjusting covariates.
Participants who skipped key meals and foods were more likely to experience suicide attempt (Adjusted odds ratio [95% Confidence interval], skipping breakfast ≥5 days/week: 1.28 [1.21-1.35]; fruits ≥2 times/day: 1.42 [1.32-1.52]; vegetable <3 times/day: 1.72 (1.53-1.93); milk <3 times/day: 1.07 (0.99-1.16)). The associations were prominent in Third culture kids (TCK) (AOR [95% CI]: 2.23 [1.61-3.09]; 2.32 [1.61-3.35]; 2.63 [1.50-4.60]; 1.69 [1.09-2.63], respectively). Participants who consume unhealthier foods (i.e., consumption of fast food, caffeinated and sugary drinks) were more likely to attempt suicide (AOR [95% CI]; 1.55 [1.38-1.73]). The association also tended to be notable in TCK (AOR [95% CI]: 2.08 [1.08-4.01]).
Our findings indicate a positive association between unfavorable dietary behaviors and outcomes related to suicide, and this association appears to be notable in adolescents with immigrant parents.