Frequent consumption of takeaway food has been linked to poor nutritional quality, obesity, and adverse health outcomes. However, its association with musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, especially in the context of broader lifestyle and psychological factors, remains underexplored. Back pain is highly prevalent and often co-occurs with mood disturbances, reduced physical activity, and poor quality of life.
This study aims to investigate whether frequent takeaway food consumption is associated with increased risk of back pain and related psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances), and how this relationship is modified by educational level, occupation type, and physical activity.
Objectives:
1. To examine the association between takeaway food frequency and prevalence of back pain.
2. To assess whether individuals with higher takeaway food intake experience greater psychological distress.
3. To explore whether education, occupation type (sedentary vs. active), and physical activity levels mediate or modify these associations.
We hypothesise that takeaway food is independently associated with back pain, and this relationship is partially mediated by obesity, inactivity, and mental health symptoms. Multivariable regression and mediation analysis will be used to test associations while adjusting for confounders (age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol, comorbidities).
This study will provide novel insights into how modern dietary behaviours such as takeaway consumption affect musculoskeletal and mental health, informing prevention strategies for non-communicable diseases in working-age adults.