Lifestyle, the gut microbiome, and mental health in college students: A cross-sectional study on the interplay of diet, physical activity, and resilience
Abstract
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in mental health by modulating communication along the gut–brain axis—a complex communication system linking the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Emerging research suggests that factors such as diet quality, physical activity, and psychological resilience may influence mental health outcomes through this pathway. College students, a population at elevated risk for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions, may particularly benefit from modifiable lifestyle interventions that support mental well-being. This study explores the associations between diet quality, physical activity, resilience, and mental health symptoms among undergraduate students. A total of 229 undergraduate students who completed an online survey assessing diet quality (Rate Your Plate), physical activity (self-reported activity level), psychological resilience (Brief Resilience Scale), and mental health symptoms (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 [DASS-21]) were included in this study. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships among these variables. Healthier diets and higher physical activity levels were significantly associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Greater resilience was also correlated with improved mental health outcomes. Gender differences were observed, with female students reporting higher DASS-21 scores compared to male students. These findings add to the growing body of…
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