War, Diets, and Mental Health: PTSD in Ukrainian Youth

The ongoing war in Ukraine has exposed young adults to sustained psychological stress, elevating their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a case–control study of 698 individuals, we investigated associations between PTSD, dietary patterns, disordered eating behaviours, and hematological parameters. PTSD was associated with greater adherence to restrictive diets—including ketogenic, low-fat, and intermittent fasting patterns—as well as higher scores for emotional, external, and uncontrolled eating. Conversely, adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced likelihood of PTSD. Hematologically, PTSD was linked to lower hemoglobin and red blood cell counts, along with elevated inflammatory markers, particularly an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Using machine learning, we identified NLR, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration as the strongest predictors of PTSD status. War-related trauma appears to disrupt both eating behaviour and immune function, contributing to the emergence of stress-related psychiatric conditions.