Nutrition and Emotional Health: A cross-sectional study on the association between the Planetary Health Diet Index and Psychological Well-being

• Grant number: 25/07365-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Murrins Marques
• Grantee: Douglas Munemori Camargo Pacheco Amaral
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Psychological well-being has increasingly been recognized as a central factor in preventing mental health disorders, serving as a robust predictor of emotional resilience and long-term mental stability. While factors such as social support, lifestyle, and physical activity have been extensively studied in relation to well-being, the role of nutrition as a key component in emotional regulation and psychological balance remains underexplored. Recently, the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) was developed as a nutritional metric that reflects adherence to a sustainable dietary pattern, promoting benefits for both human health and environmental preservation. However, its relationship with psychological variables related to well-being remains largely unexamined. This study proposes an innovative investigation into the associations between PHDI and core psychological indicators of well-being, including self-esteem, life satisfaction, resilience, positivity, gratitude, emotional regulation, and perceived stress. To achieve this, a cross-sectional observational study will be conducted with a sample of 200 individuals from the general population, assessed through validated psychological and dietary questionnaires. Data will be analyzed using advanced statistical models to explore the interactions between sustainable dietary patterns and key psychological markers of well-being. By integrating nutrition, mental health, and psychological well-being, this study stands out as a pioneering contribution to the global scientific landscape, as it not only examines the impact of an innovative dietary index but also expands the understanding of how nutritional habits can foster mental health and psychological resilience. The findings have the potential to inform evidence-based nutritional guidelines, supporting the development of public policies and interventions aimed at preventing mental health disorders and promoting well-being on a large scale. (AU)