Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Nutr. , 28 March 2025

Sec. Nutritional Epidemiology

Volume 12 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1533453

This article is part of the Research Topic Nutrition and Mood Disorders View all 6 articles

The association between lifestyle risk score and mental health in Iranian overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study

Sara EbrahimiSara Ebrahimi1Farideh ShirasebFarideh Shiraseb2Maryam LadaninezhadMaryam Ladaninezhad3Negin NavaeiNegin Navaei4Azimeh IzadiAzimeh Izadi5Khadijeh Mirzaei
Khadijeh Mirzaei2*
  • 1Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
  • 2Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  • 3School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 4Department of Nutrition, College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, Life University, Marietta, GA, United States
  • 5Department of Medical, Orchid Pharmed Company, Tehran, Iran

Background: Since evidence on the relationship between a combination of lifestyle factors and mental health in the Iranian population is limited, this study employed a cross-sectional design which is a quick and low-cost method to provide more information on the potential association between lifestyle and mental health. This study addresses this gap by focusing on Iranian overweight and obese women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 278 Iranian overweight and obese women. A multistage random sampling method was used to recruit the participants. The lifestyle risk score (LRS) was created based on diet, physical activity (PA), sleep, obesity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between LRS and the odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. Participants were assigned a score of 0 for each healthy behavior and a score of 1 for each unhealthy behavior. A higher LRS indicates an unhealthier lifestyle. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine LRS and the stress and depression anxiety stress scale (DASS).

Results: Significant positive associations between high LRS and moderate and severe depression were found (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant positive associations between higher LRS and mild and extremely severe stress (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This is the first study that examined associations between LRS and total DASS-21 and demonstrated that participants with lower LRS had lower levels of depression and stress. This study highlights the crucial role of healthy lifestyle choices in psychological wellbeing. These findings inform the design of interventions to address mental health disorders in Iran. Further prospective studies, including a larger sample size of both genders, are needed to expand our understanding of lifestyle scores’ associations with mental health.

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes mental health as a crucial component of overall wellbeing where people effectively manage typical life pressures, engage in productive work, and actively contribute to their community (1). There has been a 13% increase in the prevalence of mental health worldwide over the past decade. These disorders account for 20% of the years lived with disability (2). In line with global trends, mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are also widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), with a higher prevalence in women than men (3). A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that the prevalence of depression was 34% in 2020 in the Iranian population (4).

Mental health is linked to different lifestyle factors and health behaviors (5, 6). The evidence showed a two-way association between obesity and mental disorders, where obese people are 55% more likely to experience depression, and individuals with depression have a 58% higher chance of developing obesity (79). Also, abdominal obesity was reported to be associated with anxiety in Iranian females (10). Furthermore, a previous study reported the association between cardiovascular health and depression (11). A healthier diet with a higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes and a lower intake of red meat, is linked to a lower likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular diseases and depression (12). Physical activity (PA) interventions reduced the symptoms of anxiety and depression (13, 14). Sleep disruptions are likely to play a contributing role in the development of various mental disorders (15). Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a higher prevalence of depression (16).

The association between mental health and obesity (10), PA (17), sleep quality (18), dietary pattern (19), and SES (20) have been previously investigated in the Iranian population. These studies focused on a single factor in relation to mental health. However, a combination of various factors may simultaneously alter mental health. Lifestyle scores assess multiple factors in relation to health outcomes (21, 22). A previous study on 28,138 Chinese adults showed negative associations between lifestyle score and depression and anxiety (5). The lifestyle score used in this study included smoking, drinking, diet behaviors, PA, sitting time, sleep duration, and sleep quality (5). Despite growing evidence globally, studies on the association between lifestyle scores and mental health in Iranian adults remain scarce. Only one study examined associations between lifestyle score and mental health, which included adults from Isfahan, Iran, and assessed depression and anxiety. As a result, this study aimed to investigate the associations between the LRS and depression, anxiety, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in overweight and obese Iranian women. By addressing multiple lifestyle factors simultaneously, this study seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how lifestyle behaviors collectively influence mental health in the Iranian population.

Methods

Study population

This cross-sectional study involved 278 overweight and obese Iranian women aged ≥18 years, with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. Participants were recruited through a multistage random sampling method from the community health centers affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Women were excluded if they had cardiovascular diseases, stroke, kidney disorders, liver diseases, thyroid disorders, inflammatory conditions, cancer, pregnancy, lactation, or menopause. Additional exclusion criteria included extreme dietary energy intake (<800 or > 4,200 kcal/day), ongoing weight loss programs or taking weight loss medications and failure to respond to more than 70 questions in the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A trained nutritionist conducted all the face to face interviews. The study was approved by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee (ethics number: IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1398.142) (23, 24).

Sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric indices

Sociodemographic data—including age, education level, marital status, occupation, and income—were collected using a structured questionnaire. Educational levels were categorized into high (bachelor’s degree or higher) and low (diploma or lower), while employment status was classified as employed or non-employed. Income was categorized as high (above the poverty line) or low (below the poverty line), with the poverty line defined as 11.5 million rials per person in 2018. Socioeconomic status (SES) was determined based on occupation, education, and income, similar to prior research. Participants were categorized into high SES (SES score ≥ 2) and low SES (SES score < 2) (25).

Anthropometric measurements were performed with participants in light clothing and without shoes. Body weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a Seca digital scale (Germany), and height was measured to the nearest 0.2 cm using a Seca 206 stadiometer (Germany). Waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured to the nearest 0.2 cm using a flexible tape measure. Body composition, including fat-free mass (FFM) and body fat mass (BFM), was assessed using an InBody770 scanner. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated as WC (cm) divided by height (cm), with participants classified as non-obese (WHtR ≤0.5) or obese (WHtR >0.5). WHtR is considered an early indicator of health risks associated with central obesity (26).

Biochemical parameters

Participants underwent fasting blood tests after 10–12 h of overnight fasting at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences’ nutrition laboratory. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was measured using the Glucose Oxidase Phenol 4-Aminoantipyrine Peroxidase method, while serum insulin was measured using a radio-immune assay. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were assessed using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory methods. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) formula: fasting insulin (mIU/L) × FBS (mmol/L)/22.5. Lipid profiles—including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—were measured using enzymatic methods (Pars Azmun Co., Tehran, Iran).

Dietary intake assessment

Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 147-item semi-quantitative FFQ (27). Participants were asked about the frequency of consumption of various foods over the past year, with trained dietitians conducting face-to-face interviews. Nutrient and energy intakes were analyzed using the NUTRITIONIST-IV software (version 7.0; N Squared Computing, Salem, OR, United States). Given the link between cardiovascular and mental health, dietary behaviors were assessed using the American Heart Association (AHA) diet score, which was based on FFQ data and developed according to AHA guidelines (6, 28). The AHA diet score included eight components: fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, sodium, sugar-sweetened beverages, whole grains, nuts and legumes, processed meats, and saturated fats. Each component was scored from 0 to 10, with a total possible score ranging from 0 to 80. Participants were categorized as having low adherence (AHA score < 40) or high adherence (AHA score ≥ 40) to dietary recommendations (2931) (Supplementary Table 1).

Sleep quality and PA assessment

Participants’ sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) which includes subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction. The PSQI score range is between 0 and 21, and a total score over five implies poor sleep quality (32). PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire (33). Participants were categorized into moderate or high levels of PA (> 20 MET-h/week) and low levels of PA (≤ 20 MET-h/week).

Mental health assessment

Individual’s mental health was evaluated using DASS-21. DASS-21 comprises 21 items over three stages. Each stage assesses seven items with a range of scores between 0 and 3. A higher score indicates poorer mental health (23, 34).

LRS assessment

The LRS was calculated based on five lifestyle factors: sleep quality, SES, WHtR, dietary behavior, and PA. Participants were assigned a score of 0 for each healthy behavior (AHA score ≥ 40, PA >20 MET-h/week, PSQI <5, WHtR <0.5, SES ≥2) and a score of 1 for each unhealthy behavior. Participants with a total LRS above the median (score > 2) were classified as the high-risk group, while those with an LRS ≤2 were categorized as the low-risk group. A higher LRS indicates an unhealthier lifestyle (Supplementary Table 2).

Statistical analysis

The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was employed to assess the normality of dependent variables, with a p-value >0.05 indicating normal distribution. Continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations (SD), while categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Group comparisons of continuous variables were performed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Categorical variables were compared between groups using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. For adjusted analyses, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used, controlling for potential confounders such as age and energy intake. BMI, PA, and educational status were treated as collinear variables. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between LRS and the odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition, binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between LRS and DASS. Two adjustment models were created: Model 1 adjusted for age and energy intake, while model 2 included further adjustments for economic status, supplement use, and marital status. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant, while p-values of 0.06, 0.07, and 0.08 were interpreted as marginally significant.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants

Participants’ mean (SD) of age, weight, BMI and WC was 36.5 (8.53) years, 80.7 (12.37) kg, 31.1 (4.39) kg/m2, and 95.5 (16.13) cm, respectively. About 49.5% of participants had a higher level of education, while only 12.5% had an education level under a diploma. The majority of participants (74%) were married, had high LRS (66%). In the present study, 10.4 and 6.5% of participants had severe and extremely severe depression, respectively, while 17.6, 13.3, and 6.5% had moderate, severe, and extremely severe stress, respectively. Furthermore, 24.5 and 14.7% of participants experienced moderate anxiety and extremely severe anxiety, respectively.

Sociodemographic characteristics of participants over categories of LRS

The sociodemographic characteristics of participants over the categories of LRS are presented in Table 1. Individuals with higher LRS had higher weight (p = 0.007), higher BMI (p < 0.001), higher body fat (p < 0.001), and lower PA (p = 0.017). There was a marginally significant mean difference in age (p = 0.070), height (p = 0.065), and LDL cholesterol level (p = 0.005) between low and high LRS groups in the crude model before adjustment. However, the difference disappeared after controlling for age and energy intake.

Table 1
www.frontiersin.org

Table 1. Characteristics of participants over the LRS categories (n = 278).

Dietary intakes over the categories of LRS

The dietary intakes of participants across the median of LRS are shown in Table 2. After controlling for energy, it was found that participants with low LRS had a higher intake of trans fatty acid, which was marginally significant (p = 0.077). In addition, women with lower LRS had a higher intake of vegetables (p = 0.009), whole grains (p = 0.001), nuts (p = 0.062), and legumes (p < 0.001). The intake of vitamin A (p = 0.073), and vitamin B6 (p = 0.075) were marginally significantly different between LRS groups where women with lower LRS had a higher intake.

Table 2
www.frontiersin.org

Table 2. Participant’s dietary intake over LRS categories (n = 278).

Associations between LRS and depression, anxiety, stress, and total DASS-21

The association between LRS and total DASS-21 and its subscales including depression, anxiety, and stress are shown in Table 3. Before and after adjustment for confounders, significant positive associations between high LRS and moderate (Crude model: OR: 3.0, CI: 1.3, 7.2; p-value: 0.012; model 1: OR:2.8, CI: 1.1, 7.1; p-value: 0.031; model 2: OR: 2.8, CI: 1.1, 7.7; p-value: 0.030) and severe depression (Crude model: OR: 3.1, CI: 0.98, 9.9; p-value: 0.014; model 1: OR: 2.5, CI: 1.8, 8.3; p-value: 0.046; model 2: OR: 3.2, CI: 1.9, 11.7; p-value: 0.049) were found. Furthermore, before and after adjustment for confounders, there were significant positive associations between higher LRS and mild stress (Crude model: OR: 1.4, CI: 1.2, 4.0; p-value: 0.017; model 1: OR:1.4, CI: 1.2, 4.9; p-value: 0.040; model 2: OR: 1.4, CI: 1.2, 4.1; p-value: 0.048) and extremely severe stress (Crude model: OR: 3.0, CI: 1.6, 14.4; p-value: 0.010; model 1: OR:2.8, CI: 1.6, 9.6; p-value: 0.021; model 2: OR: 2.5, CI: 5.0, 10.5; p-value: 0.044). Also, there was a marginally significant positive association between higher LRS and total DASS-21 before and after adjustment for confounders (Crude model: OR: 1.4, CI: 0.79, 2.5; p-value: 0.060; model 1: OR: 1.4, CI: 0.75, 2.6; p-value: 0.074; model 2: OR: 1.4, CI: 0.74, 2.7; p-value: 0.075).

Table 3
www.frontiersin.org

Table 3. Associations between mental health and LRS (n = 278).

Discussion

This study examined the associations between the LRS and mental health in overweight and obese Iranian women. The results revealed that a higher LRS was positively correlated with moderate to severe depression and mild to extremely severe stress, with no significant association found between the LRS and anxiety. Additionally, the overall DASS-21 score exhibited a marginal association with higher LRS values.

This study found a positive association between the LRS and moderate and severe depression. In line with our findings, a study on 28,138 Chinese adults reported a negative association between a healthier lifestyle and depression. The lifestyle factors included smoking, drinking, diet behaviors, PA, sitting time, sleep duration, and sleep quality (5). Furthermore, another study on 6,054 Belgian adults found a negative association between a healthier lifestyle and depression. The lifestyle score comprised BMI, smoking status, PA, alcohol consumption and diet. A study on 3,363 Iranian adults from Isfahan examined associations between lifestyle score and depression and demonstrated that participants with a higher score of healthier lifestyles were less likely to have depression. This study considered dietary intake, PA, smoking status, psychological distress and central obesity to develop the lifestyle score (35). These findings might be attributed to dietary intake, where participants with lower LRS had a higher intake of vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes. The evidence indicates that fruits and vegetables are sources of nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, B vitamin and polyphenols which are recognized for their potential relationship with mental health (36). Furthermore, diets with a high glycaemic index and glycaemic load, such as those rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars, may negatively impact psychological wellbeing through rapid increases and decreases in blood glucose (37, 38). A high dietary glycemic load may reduce plasma glucose to levels that stimulate the release of autonomic counter-regulatory hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, growth hormone, and glucagon. These findings suggest that counterregulatory hormones may contribute to changes in anxiety, irritability, and hunger (3941). Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet, characterized by a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, cereals, nuts and legumes, has been reported to be associated with lower inflammatory markers and fewer depressive symptoms (42). The evidence shows that inflammatory mechanisms may develop depression through hindering neurotransmitter metabolism and initiating endothelial dysfunction (43, 44). On the other hand, an unhealthy diet with a high intake of energy and saturated fat may decline cognitive and hippocampal function and impair the blood–brain barriers (42). This suggests adherence to a healthier diet and whole foods may reduce the probability of depression development (44, 45). In addition, participants with lower LRS had higher levels of PA. It is well established that PA is a key intervention to boost mental health (46). The European Psychiatry Association and the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health have released a statement regarding the utilization of PA in the management of mental disorders (47, 48). PA may promote mental health through neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to activity, such as the activation of the endocannabinoid system, as well as long-term adaptations, including alterations in the brain’s neural structure. Furthermore, psychosocial and behavioral factors have also been proposed, such as enhanced physical self-perception and body image, increased social interactions, and the development of personal coping strategies (4852).

Participants with higher LRS also had higher weight, BMI and body fat. While there is conflict in the evidence on the association between obesity and mental health, two systematic reviews and meta-analyses concluded a bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity (9, 53). It might be attributed to the fact that individuals who suffer from depression have a high intake of food and lower PA levels which are the causes of obesity. Also, the negative body image of obese people might aggravate their mental health (54).

While this study found no association between the LRS and anxiety, two previous studies on 3,363 Iranian adults and 28,138 Chinese adults found negative associations between a healthier lifestyle and anxiety. The discrepancies might be attributed to different sample sizes, characteristics of participants, and lifestyle factors used in these studies. While our study included 278 overweight and obese Iranian women, Saneei et al. included 3,363 Iranian adults and Wang et al. examined 28,138 Chinese adults (5, 35). Furthermore, Saneei et al. included smoking status and psychological distress and Wang et al. comprised smoking, drinking, and sitting time to develop the lifestyle score (5, 35). A healthier lifestyle might be related to lower anxiety through oxidative stress pathways. The evidence showed individuals with anxiety have higher levels of inflammation which could be decreased through healthier lifestyles such as healthier diet, and higher PA (5559). Further studies are suggested to investigate lifestyle score’s relationship with anxiety.

The findings of this study demonstrated a positive link between LRS and stress. The evidence on the associations between lifestyle score and stress is limited. While no previous study assessed the link between lifestyle score and stress in the Iranian population, studies on 28,138 Chinese adults and 6,054 Belgian adults revealed that healthier lifestyles were associated with lower perceived pressure and psychological distress, respectively (5, 60). In the present study, participants with lower LRS had a higher intake of healthier foods. The evidence suggests an association between higher adherence to an unhealthier diet and higher levels of stress (5, 61). Furthermore, individuals with higher stress tend to be engaged in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as avoiding PA, and decreased sleep duration (5, 62, 63). Given that few studies have investigated the link between lifestyle score and stress, further surveys are needed to provide further evidence in this area.

To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to investigate associations between total DASS-21 and LRS. The findings revealed a marginally significant positive association between total DASS-21 and LRS. Consistent with our findings, a study on 7,937 participants from Germany reported an inverse association between a healthier lifestyle score and the score of DASS stress, depression and anxiety. However, this study did not examine the link between total DASS-21 and lifestyle score (64). A study on 239 university students in Australia assessed associations between single lifestyle factors and DASS-21 and concluded that higher quality of diet and sleep, and moderate-vigorous PA were negatively associated with total DASS-21 (65). Given that evidence on the association between lifestyle score and DASS-21 is scant, further studies are needed to provide extensive information to expand our understanding of lifestyle’s role in mental health development.

Several limitations should be considered in the interpretation of the findings of this study. Firstly, the cross-sectional study design is susceptible to reverse causality while examining associations between LRS and DASS-21. As a result, longitudinal studies are required to establish cause and effect relationships and better understand causal pathways. Secondly, this study collected self-reported data on sleeping and physical activity which may have resulted in responses influenced by social desirability. Future studies could improve the information using wearable device data, which would provide more precise and continuous measurements. Furthermore, this study collected dietary data using the FFQ which is prone to memory bias. Thirdly, this study only included overweight and obese women from Tehran, which is not a representative sample of the Iranian population and restricts the generalizability of these findings to Iranians from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and regions of Iran. Fourthly, this survey lacked information on alcohol consumption, a common limitation observed in studies from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries (66, 67). Furthermore, there was a lack of information on smoking in this survey. As a result, the LRS created in this study did not contain smoking and alcohol consumption which are associated with mental health. This limitation needs to be considered when comparing results with studies that assessed LRS containing smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition, the LRS total score was categorized based on the median value which may limit the relationship between mental health and lifestyle factors. Fifthly, the small sample size of this study may limit the power to conduct detailed subgroup analyses or explore interactions between variables. Lastly, while this study controlled for several confounding factors, residual confounding may exist.

This study has several strengths. To the best of our knowledge, this study assessed associations between LRS and total DASS-21 for the first time. The analysis was controlled for extensive confounding factors. Furthermore, this study included overweight and obese women who are at higher risk of mental health.

Conclusion

This study for the first time, examined associations between LRS and total DASS-21 and demonstrated that participants with lower LRS had lower levels of depression and stress. Furthermore, this study revealed a marginally significant positive association between total DASS-21 and LRS. Considering the limitations of this study, future research should aim to address these limitations by including more diverse populations, employing longitudinal designs, and enhancing data collection methods through objective and validated measures.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Ethics statement

Ethics approval for the study protocol was confirmed by the Human Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Ethics Number: IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1398.142). All participants signed a written informed consent that was approved by the Ethics committee. The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

SE: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. FS: Writing – review & editing. ML: Writing – review & editing. NN: Writing – review & editing. AI: Writing – review & editing. KM: Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by grants from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) (Grant ID: 97–03–161-41017).

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all of the participants for their contribution to this research study.

Conflict of interest

AI was employed by Orchid Pharmed Company.

The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The authors declare that no Gen AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1533453/full#supplementary-material

References

1. World Health Organization. Promoting mental health: concepts, emerging evidence, practice. (2005). Available online at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562943 (Accessed 07 November 2023).

Google Scholar

2. World Health Organization. Mental health (2023). Available online at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1 (Accessed 07 November 2023).

Google Scholar

3. Charara, R, Forouzanfar, M, Naghavi, M, Moradi-Lakeh, M, Afshin, A, Vos, T, et al. The burden of mental disorders in the eastern Mediterranean region, 1990-2013. PLoS One. (2017) 12:e0169575. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169575

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

4. Tahan, M, Saleem, T, Zygoulis, P, Pires, LVL, Pakdaman, M, Taheri, H, et al. A systematic review of prevalence of depression in Iranian patients. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung. (2020) 22:16–22.

Google Scholar

5. Wang, X, Wu, Y, Shi, X, Chen, Y, Xu, Y, Xu, H, et al. Associations of lifestyle with mental health and well-being in Chinese adults: a nationwide study. Front Nutr. (2023) 10:1198796. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1198796

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

6. Zhang, Z, Jackson, S, Merritt, R, Gillespie, C, and Yang, Q. Association between cardiovascular health metrics and depression among U.S. adults: National Health and nutrition examination survey, 2007-2014. Ann Epidemiol. (2019) 31:49–56.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.12.005

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

7. Rajan, TM, and Menon, V. Psychiatric disorders and obesity: a review of association studies. J Postgrad Med. (2017) 63:182–90. doi: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_712_16

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

8. Dandgey, S, and Patten, E. Psychological considerations for the holistic management of obesity. Clin Med. (2023) 23:318–22. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2023-0146

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

9. Luppino, FS, de Wit, LM, Bouvy, PF, Stijnen, T, Cuijpers, P, Penninx, BWJH, et al. Overweight, obesity, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. (2010) 67:220–9. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.2

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

10. Heidari-Beni, M, Azizi-Soleiman, F, Afshar, H, Khosravi-Boroujeni, H, Keshteli, AH, Esmaillzadeh, A, et al. Relationship between obesity and depression, anxiety and psychological distress among Iranian health-care staff. East Mediterr Health J. (2021) 27:327–35. doi: 10.26719/emhj.20.132

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

11. Li, Z, Yang, X, Wang, A, Qiu, J, Wang, W, Song, Q, et al. Association between ideal cardiovascular health metrics and depression in Chinese population: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. (2015) 5:11564. doi: 10.1038/srep11564

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

12. Lassale, C, Batty, GD, Baghdadli, A, Jacka, F, Sánchez-Villegas, A, Kivimäki, M, et al. Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Mol Psychiatry. (2019) 24:965–86. doi: 10.1038/s41380-018-0237-8

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

13. McDowell, CP, Dishman, RK, Gordon, BR, and Herring, MP. Physical activity and anxiety: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Am J Prev Med. (2019) 57:545–56. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.05.012

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

14. Schuch, FB, Vancampfort, D, Richards, J, Rosenbaum, S, Ward, PB, and Stubbs, B. Exercise as a treatment for depression: a meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias. J Psychiatr Res. (2016) 77:42–51. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

15. Freeman, D, Sheaves, B, Waite, F, Harvey, AG, and Harrison, PJ. Sleep disturbance and psychiatric disorders. Lancet Psychiatry. (2020) 7:628–37. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30136-X

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

16. Freeman, A, Tyrovolas, S, Koyanagi, A, Chatterji, S, Leonardi, M, Ayuso-Mateos, JL, et al. The role of socio-economic status in depression: results from the COURAGE (aging survey in Europe). BMC Public Health. (2016) 16:1098. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3638-0

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

17. Mortazavi, SS, Mohammad, K, Ardebili, HE, Beni, RD, Mahmoodi, M, and Keshteli, AH. Mental disorder prevention and physical activity in Iranian elderly. Int J Prev Med. (2012) 3:S64–72.

Google Scholar

18. Khorshidi, A, Rostamkhani, M, Farokhi, R, and Abbasi-Ghahramanloo, A. Association between quality of life, sleep quality and mental disorders in Iranian older adults. Sci Rep. (2022) 12:15681. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20013-0

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

19. Shams-Rad, S, Bidaki, R, Nadjarzadeh, A, Salehi-Abargouei, A, de Courten, B, and Mirzaei, M. The association between major dietary patterns and severe mental disorders symptoms among a large sample of adults living in Central Iran: baseline data of YaHS-TAMYZ cohort study. BMC Public Health. (2022) 22:1121. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13518-w

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

20. Najafi, F, Pasdar, Y, Karami Matin, B, Rezaei, S, Kazemi Karyani, A, Soltani, S, et al. Decomposing socioeconomic inequality in poor mental health among Iranian adult population: results from the PERSIAN cohort study. BMC Psychiatry. (2020) 20:229. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02596-y

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

21. Rassy, N, van Straaten, A, Carette, C, Hamer, M, Rives-Lange, C, and Czernichow, S. Association of healthy lifestyle factors and obesity-related diseases in adults in the UK. JAMA Netw Open. (2023) 6:e2314741. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.14741

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

22. Sultana, S, Rahman, MM, Sigel, B, and Hashizume, M. Associations of lifestyle risk factors with overweight or obesity among adolescents: a multicountry analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. (2021) 113:742–50. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa337

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

23. Golmohammadi, A, Ebrahimi, S, Shiraseb, F, Asjodi, F, Hosseini, AM, and Mirzaei, K. The association between dietary polyphenols intake and sleep quality, and mental health in overweight and obese women. PharmaNutrition. (2023) 24:100338. doi: 10.1016/j.phanu.2023.100338

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

24. Hajmir, MM, Shiraseb, F, Ebrahimi, S, Noori, S, Ghaffarian-Ensaf, R, and Mirzaei, K. Interaction between ultra-processed food intake and genetic risk score on mental health and sleep quality. Eat Weight Disord. (2022) 27:3609–25. doi: 10.1007/s40519-022-01501-8

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

25. Shafiei, S, Yazdani, S, Jadidfard, MP, and Zafarmand, AH. Measurement components of socioeconomic status in health-related studies in Iran. BMC Res Notes. (2019) 12:70. doi: 10.1186/s13104-019-4101-y

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

26. Ashwell, M, and Gibson, S. Waist-to-height ratio as an indicator of 'early health risk': simpler and more predictive than using a 'matrix' based on BMI and waist circumference. BMJ Open. (2016) 6:e010159. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010159

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

27. Toorang, F, Sasanfar, B, Esmaillzadeh, A, Ebrahimpour-Koujan, S, and Zendehdel, K. Comparison of validity of the food frequency questionnaire and the diet history questionnaire for assessment of energy and nutrients intakes in an Iranian population. East Mediterr Health J. (2020) 26:1062–9. doi: 10.26719/emhj.19.099

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

28. Van Horn, L, Carson, JAS, Appel, LJ, Burke, LE, Economos, C, Karmally, W, et al. Recommended dietary pattern to achieve adherence to the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) guidelines: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. (2016) 134:e505–29. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000462

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

29. Benjamin, EJ, Blaha, MJ, Chiuve, SE, Cushman, M, Das, SR, Deo, R, et al. Heart disease and stroke Statistics-2017 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. (2017) 135:e146–603. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000491

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

30. Lloyd-Jones, DM, Hong, Y, Labarthe, D, Mozaffarian, D, Appel, LJ, van Horn, L, et al. Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction: the American Heart Association's strategic impact goal through 2020 and beyond. Circulation. (2010) 121:586–613. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192703

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

31. Ebrahimi, S, Shiraseb, F, Ladaninezhad, M, Izadi, A, Navaei, N, and Mirzaei, K. The association between the lifestyle risk score and metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotype in Iranian women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. (2025) 13:1490937. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.103846

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

32. Buysse, DJ, Reynolds, CF III, Monk, TH, Berman, SR, and Kupfer, DJ. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. (1989) 28:193–213. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

33. Craig, CL, Marshall, AL, Sjöström, M, Bauman, AE, Booth, ML, Ainsworth, BE, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. (2003) 35:1381–95. doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

34. Szabó, M. The short version of the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21): factor structure in a young adolescent sample. J Adolesc. (2010) 33:1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.05.014

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

35. Saneei, P, Esmaillzadeh, A, Hassanzadeh Keshteli, A, Reza Roohafza, H, Afshar, H, Feizi, A, et al. Combined healthy lifestyle is inversely associated with psychological disorders among adults. PLoS One. (2016) 11:e0146888. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146888

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

36. Głąbska, D, Guzek, D, Groele, B, and Gutkowska, K. Fruit and vegetable intake and mental health in adults: a systematic review. Nutrients. (2020) 12:115–149. doi: 10.3390/nu12010115

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

37. Gangwisch, JE, Hale, L, Garcia, L, Malaspina, D, Opler, MG, Payne, ME, et al. High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression: analyses from the Women's Health Initiative. Am J Clin Nutr. (2015) 102:454–63. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.103846

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

38. Salari-Moghaddam, A, Saneei, P, Larijani, B, and Esmaillzadeh, A. Glycemic index, glycemic load, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. (2019) 73:356–65. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0258-z

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

39. Ludwig, DS. The glycemic index: physiological mechanisms relating to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. JAMA. (2002) 287:2414–23. doi: 10.1001/jama.287.18.2414

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

40. Seaquist, ER, Anderson, J, Childs, B, Cryer, P, Dagogo-Jack, S, Fish, L, et al. Hypoglycemia and diabetes: a report of a workgroup of the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (2013) 98:1845–59. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-4127

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

41. Towler, DA, Havlin, CE, Craft, S, and Cryer, P. Mechanism of awareness of hypoglycemia. Perception of neurogenic (predominantly cholinergic) rather than neuroglycopenic symptoms. Diabetes. (1993) 42:1791–8. doi: 10.2337/diab.42.12.1791

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

42. Firth, J, Gangwisch, JE, Borsini, A, Wootton, RE, and Mayer, EA. Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? BMJ. (2020) 369:m2382. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m2382

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

43. Sanchez-Villegas, A, and Martínez-González, MA. Diet, a new target to prevent depression? BMC Med. (2013) 11:3. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-3

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

44. Altun, A, Brown, H, Szoeke, C, and Goodwill, AM. The Mediterranean dietary pattern and depression risk: a systematic review. Neurol Psychiatry Brain Res. (2019) 33:1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.npbr.2019.05.007

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

45. Knight, A, Bryan, J, and Murphy, K. The Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive functioning: a systematic review of study findings and neuropsychological assessment methodology. Nutr Neurosci. (2017) 20:449–68. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2016.1183341

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

46. Firth, J, Solmi, M, Wootton, RE, Vancampfort, D, Schuch, FB, Hoare, E, et al. A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. World Psychiatry. (2020) 19:360–80. doi: 10.1002/wps.20773

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

47. Richards, J, Foster, C, Townsend, N, and Bauman, A. Physical fitness and mental health impact of a sport-for-development intervention in a post-conflict setting: randomised controlled trial nested within an observational study of adolescents in Gulu, Uganda. BMC Public Health. (2014) 14:619. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-619

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

48. Vella, SA, Aidman, E, Teychenne, M, Smith, JJ, Swann, C, Rosenbaum, S, et al. Optimising the effects of physical activity on mental health and wellbeing: a joint consensus statement from sports medicine Australia and the Australian Psychological Society. J Sci Med Sport. (2023) 26:132–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.01.001

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

49. Kandola, A, Ashdown-Franks, G, Hendrikse, J, Sabiston, CM, and Stubbs, B. Physical activity and depression: towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. (2019) 107:525–39. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.040

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

50. Valkenborghs, SR, Noetel, M, Hillman, CH, Nilsson, M, Smith, JJ, Ortega, FB, et al. The impact of physical activity on brain structure and function in youth: a systematic review. Pediatrics. (2019) 144:e20184032. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-4032

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

51. Lubans, D, Richards, J, Hillman, C, Faulkner, G, Beauchamp, M, Nilsson, M, et al. Physical activity for cognitive and mental health in youth: a systematic review of mechanisms. Pediatrics. (2016) 138:e20161642. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-1642

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

52. Brellenthin, AG, Crombie, KM, Hillard, CJ, and Koltyn, KF. Endocannabinoid and mood responses to exercise in adults with varying activity levels. Med Sci Sports Exerc. (2017) 49:1688–96. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001276

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

53. Rooke, SE, and Thorsteinsson, EB. Examining the temporal relationship between depression and obesity: meta-analyses of prospective research. Health Psychol Rev. (2008) 2:94–109. doi: 10.1080/17437190802295689

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

54. de Wit, L, Luppino, F, van Straten, A, Penninx, B, Zitman, F, and Cuijpers, P. Depression and obesity: a meta-analysis of community-based studies. Psychiatry Res. (2010) 178:230–5. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2009.04.015

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

55. Lopresti, AL, Hood, SD, and Drummond, PD. A review of lifestyle factors that contribute to important pathways associated with major depression: diet, sleep and exercise. J Affect Disord. (2013) 148:12–27. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.01.014

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

56. Moylan, S, Maes, M, Wray, NR, and Berk, M. The neuroprogressive nature of major depressive disorder: pathways to disease evolution and resistance, and therapeutic implications. Mol Psychiatry. (2013) 18:595–606. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.33

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

57. Duivis, HE, Vogelzangs, N, Kupper, N, de Jonge, P, and Penninx, BWJH. Differential association of somatic and cognitive symptoms of depression and anxiety with inflammation: findings from the Netherlands study of depression and anxiety (NESDA). Psychoneuroendocrinology. (2013) 38:1573–85. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.01.002

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

58. Dias, JA, Wirfält, E, Drake, I, Gullberg, B, Hedblad, B, Persson, M, et al. A high quality diet is associated with reduced systemic inflammation in middle-aged individuals. Atherosclerosis. (2015) 238:38–44. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.11.006

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

59. Esteghamati, A, Morteza, A, Khalilzadeh, O, Anvari, M, Noshad, S, Zandieh, A, et al. Physical inactivity is correlated with levels of quantitative C-reactive protein in serum, independent of obesity: results of the national surveillance of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Iran. J Health Popul Nutr. (2012) 30:66–72. doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v30i1.11278

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

60. Hautekiet, P, Saenen, ND, Martens, DS, Debay, M, van der Heyden, J, Nawrot, TS, et al. A healthy lifestyle is positively associated with mental health and well-being and core markers in ageing. BMC Med. (2022) 20:328. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02524-9

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

61. Zenk, SN, Horoi, I, McDonald, A, Corte, C, Riley, B, and Odoms-Young, AM. Ecological momentary assessment of environmental and personal factors and snack food intake in African American women. Appetite. (2014) 83:333–41. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.09.008

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

62. Stanton, R, To, QG, Khalesi, S, Williams, SL, Alley, SJ, Thwaite, TL, et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19: associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2020) 17:4065-4078. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

63. Lippke, S, Wienert, J, Kuhlmann, T, Fink, S, and Hambrecht, R. Perceived stress, physical activity and motivation: findings from an internet study. Ann Sports Med Res. 2:1012

Google Scholar

64. Velten, J, Lavallee, KL, Scholten, S, Meyer, AH, Zhang, XC, Schneider, S, et al. Lifestyle choices and mental health: a representative population survey. BMC Psychol. (2014) 2:58. doi: 10.1186/s40359-014-0055-y

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

65. Dash, S, Bourke, M, Parker, AG, Dadswell, K, and Pascoe, MC. Lifestyle behaviours and mental health and wellbeing of tertiary students during COVID-19 lockdown in Australia: a cross-sectional study. Compr Psychiatry. (2022) 116:152324. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152324

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

66. Ebrahimi, S, McNaughton, SA, Leech, RM, Abdollahi, M, Houshiarrad, A, and Livingstone, KM. A comparison of diet quality indices in a nationally representative cross-sectional study of Iranian households. Nutr J. (2020) 19:1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12937-020-00646-5

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

67. Alizadeh, S. Limitation of studies on food intake and dietary pattern in Iran and other Middle East countries: lack of alcohol intake assessment. Nutrients. (2017) 9:1183. doi: 10.3390/nu9111183

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

Glossary

AHA - American Heart Association

ALT - Alanine transaminase

AST - Aspartate transaminase

ANOVA - one-way analysis of variance

ANCOVA - Analysis of covariance

BMI - body mass index

BFM - body fat mass

DASS - depression anxiety stress scale

EMR - Eastern Mediterranean Region

FBS - fasting blood sugar

FFQ - food frequency questionnaire

FFM - fat-free mass

HDL - high-density lipoprotein

HC - hip circumference

HOMA-IR - Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance

IR - insulin resistance

IPAQ - International Physical Activity Questionnaire

LDL - low-density lipoprotein

LRS - lifestyle risk score

PA - Physical activity

PSQI - Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

SD - standard deviation

SES - socioeconomic status

TC - total cholesterol

TG - triglyceride

WC - Waist circumference

WHO - World Health Organization

WHtR - Waist-to-height ratio

Keywords: lifestyle, mental health, Iranian women, lifestyle risk score, obesity

Citation: Ebrahimi S, Shiraseb F, Ladaninezhad M, Navaei N, Izadi A and Mirzaei K (2025) The association between lifestyle risk score and mental health in Iranian overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study. Front. Nutr. 12:1533453. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1533453

Received: 24 November 2024; Accepted: 25 February 2025;
Published: 28 March 2025.

Edited by:

Samiksha Wasnik, Self-employed, Gilroy, CA, United States

Reviewed by:

Mateusz Krystian Grajek, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Daniel Fattah, Loma Linda University, United States

Copyright © 2025 Ebrahimi, Shiraseb, Ladaninezhad, Navaei, Izadi and Mirzaei. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Khadijeh Mirzaei, bWlyemFlaV9raEB0dW1zLmFjLmly

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Research integrity at Frontiers

Man ultramarathon runner in the mountains he trains at sunset

95% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or good

Learn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish.


Find out more