How Nutrition Shapes the Emotional and Psychological Well-Being of Teenage Girls: A Review

Abstract

Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to mental-health disorders such as anxiety and depression because this life stage is marked by profound psychological and physiological changes. Recent studies estimate that about 31 % of the population now contends with chronic psychiatric conditions, with girls exhibiting higher prevalence than boys. Rising stress, poorer sleep quality, shrinking social networks, and unbalanced eating habits are key lifestyle factors fuelling this trend. Mounting evidence also indicates that diet is critical to emotional regulation and cognitive performance: nutrients such as iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and the B-vitamins (B₆, B₁₂, folate) have all been linked to improved mental well-being. Adherence to Mediterranean-style eating patterns, in particular, appears to lower the risk of mood and anxiety disorders. Using the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ), the present study explores how overall diet quality influences mental health in adolescent girls, and seeks to demonstrate how better nutrition can help shield this vulnerable group from psychological distress.