Relationship between diet and prevalence of depression among Korean adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many studies focus on the causes of depression, but few assess the dietary intake. This study investigated the relationship between diet and prevalence of depression. METHODS: This study used the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. A total of 734 persons aged 20-65 years old in whom the presence or absence of depression was confirmed by doctor were analyzed. We analyzed associations between prevalence of depression and diet based on carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C intakes for male and female groups. RESULTS: There was no association between diet and prevalence of depression in the male group. For the female group, as fiber intake was increased, the prevalence of depression significantly decreased (odds ratio=0.923, 95% confidence interval=0.850-0.986), but there was no association between the other dietary intakes and prevalence of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The fiber intake and prevalence of depression are negatively correlated in women aged 20-65 years. A diet therapy including fiber may decrease the prevalence of depression.