Fast Food Choices and Mental Health in University Students of Pakistan

Abstract

Improving the health and well-being of university students involves promoting successful learning, which is becoming vital as per the sustainable development agenda. The present study aims to analyze the role of fast-food consumption and mental health among university students in Pakistan by collecting data from 405 respondents from top public and private universities. Results reveal that 40% of students consume fast food more than three times a week, and almost 60% of them report perceiving mental stress and health issues after consuming fast food. Logit regression analysis shows that social class, healthy dietary patterns, good health, and frequency of fast food consumption are negatively related to mental health issues, while money spent on fast food is positively related to mental health. Findings suggest that universities need to collaborate with health professionals to deliver lectures on how excessive fast-food consumption is related to mood, stress, and cognition and ensure a healthy eating environment in educational institutes.