Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes : a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

With depression being the psychiatric disorder incurring the largest societal costs in developed countries, there is a need to gather evidence on the role of nutrition in depression, to help develop recommendations and guide future psychiatric health care. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the link between diet quality, measured using a range of predefined indices, and depressive outcomes. Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched up to 31st May 2018 for studies that examined adherence to a healthy diet in relation to depressive symptoms or clinical depression. Where possible, estimates were pooled using random effect meta-analysis with stratification by observational study design and dietary score. A total of 20 longitudinal and 21 cross-sectional studies were included. These studies utilized an array of dietary measures, including: different measures of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Alternative HEI (AHEI), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index. The most compelling evidence was found for the Mediterranean diet and incident depression, with a combined relative risk estimate of highest vs. lowest adherence category from four longitudinal studies of 0.67 (95% CI 0.55-0.82). A lower Dietary Inflammatory Index was also associated with lower depression incidence in four longitudinal studies (relative risk 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63-0.92). There were fewer longitudinal studies using other indices, but they and cross-sectional evidence also suggest an inverse association between healthy diet and depression (e.g., relative risk 0.65; 95% CI 0.50-0.84 for HEI/AHEI). To conclude, adhering to a healthy diet, in particular a traditional Mediterranean diet, or avoiding a pro-inflammatory diet appears to confer some protection against depression in observational studies. This provides a reasonable evidence base to assess the role of dietary interventions to prevent depression.Peer reviewe

The association between diet quality, dietary patterns and depression in adults: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that diet modifies key biological factors associated with the development of depression; however, associations between diet quality and depression are not fully understood. We performed a systematic review to evaluate existing evidence regarding the association between diet quality and depression. METHOD: A computer-aided literature search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, January 1965 to October 2011, and a best-evidence analysis performed. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies from nine countries met eligibility criteria. Our best-evidence analyses found limited evidence to support an association between traditional diets (Mediterranean or Norwegian diets) and depression. We also observed a conflicting level of evidence for associations between (i) a traditional Japanese diet and depression, (ii) a “healthy” diet and depression, (iii) a Western diet and depression, and (iv) individuals with depression and the likelihood of eating a less healthy diet. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first review to synthesize and critically analyze evidence regarding diet quality, dietary patterns and depression. Further studies are urgently required to elucidate whether a true causal association exists

Fatty acids intake and depressive symptomatology in a greek sample: An epidemiological analysis

Background: Depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the association with dietary habits is not well understood. The aim of this work was to statistically model the association of depressive symptoms with fatty acids intake in persons free of cardiovascular disease. Method: A random multistage sampling, stratified by gender and age, was performed during 2001–2002. In the present work, psychological and dietary data from 453 men (19–89 years) and 400 women (18–84 years) were analyzed. Depression was assessed with the Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (ZDRS). After a validation for the investigated population, plasma fatty acids in the form of their methyl esters were determined by gas chromatography, while dietary fatty acids were determined through a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and local food composition tables. Results: Women had significantly higher scores on the ZDRS as compared with men (47 ± 9 vs. 43 ± 10, p < 0.001). Multiadjusted data analysis after adjusting for age, gender, lifestyle, and dietary habits revealed that increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentrations, and, more specifically, high concentrations of plasma total n-3 fatty acids (b ± SE: −1.9 ± 0.5, p  =  0.03), docosahexaenoic acid (−2.91 ± 1.04, p  =  0.02), eicosapentaenoic acid (−2.54 ± 0.84, p  =  0.03), α-linoleic acid (−16.8 ± 7.3, p  =  0.01), and linoleic acid (−3.97 ± 0.21, p  =  0.03), were associated with lower scores in the depression scale used. Conclusion: These results indicate that increased PUFA and MUFA concentrations are associated with diminished depressive symptomatology among apparently healthy adults. © 2010 American College of Nutrition

Urban environment, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits correlate to depression among elderly living in eastern mediterranean islands: The MEDIS (Mediterranean Islands Elderly) study

Aims: To evaluate factors associated with depression in elderly. Methods: During 2005-2007, 553 men and 637 women (aged 65 to 100 yrs) living in various Greek islands and in Cyprus participated in the study. The sampling was random and multistage (according to age-sex distribution of the referent population). Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: Twenty five per cent of men and 35% of women were classified in the highest GDS category (i.e. GDS score > 10), indicating intense depressive symptoms, while 54% of men and 70% of women scored above the depression cut-off (i.e. GDS score > 5) indicating mild-to-severe depressive symptoms. Among the investigated characteristics, living in urban environment, physical inactivity and history of hypertension were correlated with the presence of depressive symptoms (p<0.05), after adjusting for various confounders. Moreover, the consumption of fish, vegetables and cereals is more prevalent among people with low or moderate depression (p<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of depression is quite high between elderly people living in Greek islands and Cyprus. Urban environment that may also interact with sedentarism and unhealthy dietary habits seems to promote depression in the studied population. Efforts to lower the prevalence of depression in the elderly should target on the aforementioned factors that employ functional impairment, social environment and dietary habits. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging©

Aspectos psicossociais em cirurgia bariátrica: a associação entre variáveis emocionais, trabalho, relacionamentos e peso corporal Psychosocial aspects in bariatric surgery: the association among emotional variables, job, relationships and body weight

RACIONAL: Operações bariátricas têm sido consideradas alternativa para o tratamento de obesidade mórbida. Alguns eventos adversos que as pessoas experimentam após o tratamento frequentemente são consequência da falta de conhecimento consistente associada a fatores psicossociais que estão relacionadas ao status pré-operatório dos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as variáveis ?psicossociais de 414 candidatos ? cirurgia bari?trica do Hospital de Cl?nicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de S?o Paulo, Ribeir?o Preto, SP, Brasil. psicossociais de 414 candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica do Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados entrevista semi-estruturada, Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e Binge Eating Scale (BES). RESULTADOS: IMC foi maior entre os pacientes que não tinham emprego (p = 0,019), do sexo feminino, os que tinham um parceiro e os pacientes com IMC <50 kg / m², todos eles desejando ter peso menor (p<0,001). Escores do BAI foram maiores entre os pacientes que não tinham emprego (p <0,05) e maior naqueles com IMC> 50 kg / m² (p <0,05). BDI foram mais altos entre as mulheres (p <0,05) e menores entre aqueles que tinham um emprego (p <0,01). Nenhuma diferença no BES foi encontrada. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados sugerem que as mulheres apresentaram indicadores mais elevados de ansiedade e depressão, sugerindo que elas tinham funcionamento psicológico mais frágil com dificuldades em lidar com a angústia. Auto-percepção, assim como competências e habilidades, podem refletir aspectos internos da personalidade do indivíduo. Pacientes que tiveram um emprego antes da operação parecia ter mais recursos emocionais. Assim, eles podiam sentir menos sofrimento, porque o emprego podia protegê-los. Mulheres e aqueles que não tinham emprego eram mais propensos a apresentar sintomas de depressão. Além disso, pacientes que não tinham emprego e aqueles com IMC> 50 kg / m² foram mais propensos a apresentar sintomas de ansiedade.<br>BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries have been considered an alternative for treatment of morbid obesity. Some adverse events that people experience after the treatment frequently are the consequence of the lack of consistent knowledge associated with psychosocial factors that are related to the pre-surgery status of the patients. AIM: To evaluate psychosocial variables of 414 candidates for bariatric surgery from Clinical Hospital of Medical School at University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. METHODS: Semi-structured interview, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Binge Eating Scale (BES) were used. RESULTS: BMI was higher among patients who had no employment (p = 0.019). Female, patients who had a partner and patients with a BMI < 50 kg/m², all of them desired have a lower weight (p < 0.001). BAI scores were higher among patients who had no employment (p < 0.05) and higher among those with a BMI > 50 kg/m² (p < 0.05). BDI scores were higher among women (p < 0.05) and lower among those who had an employment (p < 0.01). No difference in BES was found. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that women showed higher indicators of anxiety and depression, suggesting that they had a more fragile psychological functioning with difficulties in coping with distress. Self-perception as well as skills and abilities, may reflect internal aspects of individual's personality. Patients who had an employment before surgery seemed have more emotional resources. So, they may feel less distress because the employment may protect them. Women and those who did not have an employment were more likely to experience depression symptoms. Furthermore, patients who did not have an employment and those with BMI> 50 kg / m² were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms