Background: The only treatment for Celiac Disease (CeD), which affects about 1% of the population, is a gluten-free diet (GFD). Studies have indicated an association between the GFD, a diminished quality of life (QOL), and maladaptive eating patterns. This study aims to explore food avoidance behaviors in adults with CeD.
Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 50 adults with biopsy-confirmed CeD who completed validated surveys evaluating demographics, psychological factors, QOL, eating pathology, and food avoidance.
Results: Overall CDQOL scores were good (mean: 62.7 out of 100). However, 58.0% of the participants self-elected to avoid one or more additional foods without diagnosed allergies or intolerances. Those avoiding one or more other foods had lower QOL scores (57.4 (23.2) vs. 70.2 (15.9)) compared to those only avoiding gluten (p = 0.034). The mean depression score (CESD) for the group avoiding foods beyond gluten was in the depressive range, unlike those avoiding only gluten (16.0 (4.9) vs. 13.6 (4.0), p = 0.078), with 77% of those avoiding more than gluten scoring above the CESD cut-off point of 15, indicating clinical depression.
Conclusions: Over half of participants (58%) reported avoiding additional foods beyond the GFD, a behavior associated with decreased QOL and increased depression.
Keywords: celiac disease; eating patterns; food avoidance; gluten-free diet.