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Nutrients
Volume 18
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10.3390/nu18010104
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Article

Dietary Intake Patterns, Substance Use and Their Association with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students in Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study

by
Linet Arvilla-Salas
1,
Sodel Vazquez-Reyes
1,*,
Alfredo Salazar de Santiago
2,
Leticia A. Ramirez-Hernandez
3,
Idalia Garza-Veloz
1,
Fabiana Esther Mollinedo-Montaño
1,
Celia Luna-Pacheco
2,
Francisco Luna-Pacheco
2 and
Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro
1,*
1
Doctorado en Ciencias con Orientación en Medicina Molecular, Unidad Academica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Carretera Zacatecas-Guadalajara Km 6. Ejido la Escondida, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico
2
Unidad Académica de Odontología, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico
3
Unidad Academica de Matematicas, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Paseo la Bufa, Av. Solidaridad, Zacatecas 98066, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010104 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 November 2025 / Revised: 23 December 2025 / Accepted: 26 December 2025 / Published: 28 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Neuro Sciences)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The growing prevalence of mental health problems among medical students is a global concern, with dietary patterns emerging as potential modifiable factors. This study aimed to explore and evaluate whether higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be associated with greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study integrated into a previous cohort of medical students, conducted based on the guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Sixty-seven medical students completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire-based index. Dietary patterns and the associations between these patterns and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression were assessed statistically. Results: There were differences in the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and unsweetened juices between groups with/without anxiety or depression (p < 0.05). A higher intake of ultra-processed foods such as pizza, hot dogs, cereals high in fat and sugar, processed beverages and sweets was linked to greater symptoms (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.3–0.7). Three to four dietary patterns were identified, explaining between 60% and 86% of the variance. High consumption of cereals with added fat and sugars increased the risk by 7.4 times (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 1.2–12.2, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dietary intake was associated, but not causally linked, to emotional symptoms among medical students. Lower consumption of unprocessed foods and higher intake of ultra-processed foods formed consistent behavioral profiles associated with anxiety and depression. Consuming more than three daily servings of cereals with added fat and sugar increased the risk of severe depressive symptoms by more than sevenfold, highlighting a strong dietary determinant. Future research should assess nutritional interventions aimed to improve mental health and academic performance in medical students.
Keywords: ultra-processed foods; unprocessed or minimally processed foods; food frequency questionnaire; anxiety; depression; consumption patterns; medical students ultra-processed foods; unprocessed or minimally processed foods; food frequency questionnaire; anxiety; depression; consumption patterns; medical students

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MDPI and ACS Style

Arvilla-Salas, L.; Vazquez-Reyes, S.; de Santiago, A.S.; Ramirez-Hernandez, L.A.; Garza-Veloz, I.; Mollinedo-Montaño, F.E.; Luna-Pacheco, C.; Luna-Pacheco, F.; Martinez-Fierro, M.L. Dietary Intake Patterns, Substance Use and Their Association with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students in Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2026, 18, 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010104

AMA Style

Arvilla-Salas L, Vazquez-Reyes S, de Santiago AS, Ramirez-Hernandez LA, Garza-Veloz I, Mollinedo-Montaño FE, Luna-Pacheco C, Luna-Pacheco F, Martinez-Fierro ML. Dietary Intake Patterns, Substance Use and Their Association with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students in Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2026; 18(1):104. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010104

Chicago/Turabian Style

Arvilla-Salas, Linet, Sodel Vazquez-Reyes, Alfredo Salazar de Santiago, Leticia A. Ramirez-Hernandez, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Fabiana Esther Mollinedo-Montaño, Celia Luna-Pacheco, Francisco Luna-Pacheco, and Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro. 2026. "Dietary Intake Patterns, Substance Use and Their Association with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students in Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study" Nutrients 18, no. 1: 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010104

APA Style

Arvilla-Salas, L., Vazquez-Reyes, S., de Santiago, A. S., Ramirez-Hernandez, L. A., Garza-Veloz, I., Mollinedo-Montaño, F. E., Luna-Pacheco, C., Luna-Pacheco, F., & Martinez-Fierro, M. L. (2026). Dietary Intake Patterns, Substance Use and Their Association with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students in Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients, 18(1), 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010104

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