Psy-World

Whole diet may help prevent depression and anxiety in women.

In contrast to the impact of diet on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, no study has looked at the impact of a whole diet on common mental disorders. Previous studies that have looked at a potential link between diet and depressive illness have focused on individual nutrients or food groups. A large epidemiologic study, including 1046 women ages 20 to 93 years randomly selected from the population, assessed the association between individuals' regular diet and the prevalence of mental health disorders. Participants' diets were assessed using the Cancer Council Victoria dietary questionnaire, during the preceding 12 months on a 10-point frequency scale. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition - DSM-IV) was used to diagnose current mental disorders. In addition, psychological symptoms were measured with the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Scores on the GHQ-12, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders were the study's primary outcomes. After adjustment for age, socioeconomic status, education, and health behaviors, the results revealed that a traditional or whole food diet (vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, and whole grains) was associated with a reduction in depression and anxiety risk, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.65 (p < 0.05) and 0.68 (p < 0.05) respectively. In contrast, those who consumed a Western diet of processed or fried foods, refined grains, sugary products, and beer had higher GHQ-12 scores. Those who scored higher on the Western-type or processed food diet tended to be approximately 50% more likely to have depression (OR = 1.52). However, no link was found between the Western diet and an increased risk of anxiety. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm the causal relationship between diet and mental health that could start dietary improvement as a preventive health care strategy. Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Mykletun A, Williams LJ, Hodge AM, O'Reilly SL, Nicholson GC, Kotowicz MA, Berk M (2010). Association of Western and Traditional Diets With Depression and Anxiety in Women. Am J Psychiatry, January 4, doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09060881 (in press). Updated February 2010