Objective: To investigate the association between fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake with suicidal ideation.
Design: Cross-sectional study using a Korean Community Health Survey.
Setting: F&V consumers were defined as individuals who had consumed fruits or vegetables more than once per day. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation including F&V consumption and to estimate the prevalence of having suicidal ideation after consideration of potential confounders.
Participants: 221 081 Korea adults (nationally representative).
Results: Approximately 55 % of participants were F&V consumers. They were more likely to be young, be women, attain high educational levels, be married and be healthier physically and psychologically than the F&V non-consumers. Non-consumers had an increased risk for suicidal ideation than consumers even when potential confounders were considered, and this trend was more remarkable with vegetable intake.
Conclusion: F&V intake is associated with low risk for suicidal ideation.
Keywords: Cross-sectional studies; Fruit; Suicidal ideation; Vegetables.