Depression is a complex and multi-factorial disorder experienced by over 350 million people globally. High-quality dietary patterns - incorporating plant-based foods - have been associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. Despite eating a diet rich in plant foods, vegans and vegetarians report a higher risk of depressive symptoms than the general population. Eating behaviours can be part of socially oriented contexts, in which social connection can influence health outcomes, including lower risk of depressive symptoms. This study explored the association between diet quality, social connectedness and depressive symptoms in individuals who have adhered to a vegan or vegetarian diet for their entire adult life. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 319 ‘vegetarians for life’ (51% vegan and 49% vegetarian) using the Dietary Screening Tool (DST), Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CESD-20). Model one of multiple hierarchical regression showed an inverse association between diet quality and depressive symptoms (β = -.23; 95%CI: -.30, -.10) but was no longer significant after controlling for sociodemographic (geographical location, marital status, education level) and lifestyle factors (sleep quality, sunlight exposure and social connectedness). Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between diet quality and depressive symptoms was mediated by social connectedness (c’ = -.10, p < .001). These findings indicate that lifetime adherence to a plant-based diet may be positively associated with social interactions, fostering stronger connections with others that, in turn, play an important role in buffering the experience of depressive symptoms.
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