Feasibility of Assessing Dietary Patterns and Anxiety in College Students: A Pilot Study Using Nutrition Questionnaires, GAD-7, and ASQ

Anxiety is highly prevalent among college students representing a significant public health concern. Research indicates that dietary patterns may influence mental health outcomes; however, the practicality of collecting comprehensive dietary and psychological data in college populations remains unclear. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of evaluating dietary patterns and anxiety using self-report instruments. Participants completed the Nutrition and Eating Habit questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire (ASQ). Although twenty-one students were recruited, survey completion rates were low, with only seven participants completing the nutrition questionnaire necessary to calculate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Descriptive analyses summarized dietary responses and anxiety measures, and survey completion patterns were analyzed to determine feasibility. The findings underscore challenges in obtaining complete dietary and psychological data in college populations and provide guidance for participant recruitment, survey design, and data collection methods in future research on the relationship between diet and anxiety.