Examining the Link Between Nutrition Quality, Bullying, and Victimization in High School Students

This study investigated the relationship between diet quality, bullying, and victimization among 412 high school students. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, using the Peer Bullying Adolescence Scale to assess bullying and victimization, and the Mediterranean diet index to determine diet quality. The findings revealed no statistically significant relationship between overall diet quality and bullying or victimization scores. However, a weak negative correlation was observed between diet quality and bullying, while a positive correlation was found between diet quality and victimization. Interestingly, students who reported consuming fast food 2–3 times per week exhibited significantly higher bullying and victimization scores compared to those who consumed it less frequently. These results suggest that while general diet quality may not directly influence bullying or victimization, certain eating patterns, such as frequent fast food consumption, could be associated with an increased likelihood of both bullying and being victimized. This highlights the need to consider specific dietary habits when addressing bullying and victimization behaviors in adolescents.