Bidirectional Link between Eating Habits, Lifestyle, Physical Exercise and Depression and Other Mental Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

About 280 million people in the world suffer from depression and 301 million suffer from anxiety, with a worldwide prevalence of 4.4% and 3.6%, respectively (WHO, 2019). These data are even more alarming considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically exacerbated experiences of mental illness. Depression has many causes. Being a condition that affects psychophysical balance, it can, sometimes, be traced back to mental discomfort, whereas, in other cases, it can be linked to biological deficit. More specifically, deflected mood associated with marked psychopathology can generate serious behavioral and autonomic manifestations such as social withdrawal, apathy, asthenia, and anhedonia. However, sometimes specific medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies can generate mood alterations secondarily. For example, some nutritional deficiencies related to the poor absorption or intake of specific micronutrients (i.e., vitamins in group B, D, etc.) can mimic a depressive episode, manifesting as deficits in concentration and other cognitive symptoms.

In many cases, especially if the biological and autonomic alterations are primary, the integration of specific nutrients and micronutrients can be fundamental. Other times, however, an optimal lifestyle can assist traditional therapies or replace them if the period is critical (i.e., adolescence, post-partum, etc). Furthermore, sporting activities can also promote mental health by facilitating the release of specific neurotransmitters capable of making the autonomic nervous system more resilient.

Moreover, there are also psychopathological conditions related to eating and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (i.e., orthorexia) that are capable of generating serious organic impairments.

The objective of this proposed Special Issue on “Bidirectional Link between Eating Habits, Lifestyle, Physical Exercise and Depression and Other Mental Disorders” is to publish selected articles detailing specific aspects of nutrition and other lifestyle interventions, such as participation in physical activity. Contributions describing the effects of mental health on lifestyle and physical health are welcome, as well as works illustrating how specific nutrients and micronutrients can promote better psycho-physical well-being.

Prof. Dr. Carlo Pruneti
Guest Editor

Sara Guidotti
Guest Editor Assistant

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