Depressive symptoms are associated with dietary intake but not physical activity among overweight and obese women from disadvantaged neighborhoods

Abstract

Evidence suggests that depressive symptoms are associated with poorer dietary intake and inadequate physical activity; however, this association has not been examined in lower income overweight and obese African American women. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the associations between depressive symptoms and diet and physical activity in 196 women (87% African American, ages 25–51). Higher depressive symptoms were hypothesized to predict poorer diet quality, greater emotional eating, lower physical activity levels, and greater sedentary time. Depressive symptoms were measured using the validated short form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Dietary intake and quality were assessed using three 24-hour dietary recalls. Emotional eating was evaluated using four items from the emotional eating subscale of the Eating Behavior Patterns Questionnaire. Physical activity and sedentary time were objectively measured using the ActiGraph accelerometer. Linear regression models tested the associations between depressive symptoms and each dietary and physical activity outcome variable. Symptoms of depression were positively associated with total daily caloric intake from saturated fat and total sugars, as well as emotional eating scores (p values < .05). While not statistically significant, depressive symptoms were positively associated with sweetened beverage consumption (p=.06) and added sugars (p=.07). Depressive symptoms were not associated with total fat, sodium, fruit and vegetables, fast food consumption, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index score, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or sedentary time. Future studies should explore the mechanisms linking the identified associations between depressive symptoms and dietary intake, such as the role of emotional eating.

Neurobehavioral Effects of Consuming Dietary Fatty Acids

“…In contrast to the previous findings, Whitaker, Sharpe, Wilcox, and Hutto (2014) found that symptoms of depression were positively associated ( p < .05) with dietary intakes of saturated fats as measured by 24-hr dietary recalls. In a study of 33 medication-free patients with depression, Sublette, Hibbeln, Galfalvy, Oquendo, and Mann (2006) found that low fatty acid levels were predictive of suicidal tendencies.…”

“…Previous studies have thus had mixed results when examining high PUFA (Hakkarainen et al, 2004; Nanri et al, 2014; Rogers et al, 2008; Stahl et al, 2014; Sublette et al, 2006) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) diets (Whitaker, Sharpe, Wilcox, & Hutto, 2014) and diets deficient in fatty acids for effects on mood and neurobehavioral conditions such as depression and anxiety. In addition, less work has been focused on the neuro-behavioral effects of consuming diets high in SFAs, despite the significant consumption of diets high in saturated fats in our society.…”

Does reverse causality explain the relationship between diet and depression?

“…However, relationships between diet and depression may be explained by 'reverse causality', wherein a change in dietary choices is prompted by depressive symptoms; diminished appetite is a symptom of major depression for many and there is also evidence to suggest that some with depression are more likely to consume high fat and sugar foods (Whitaker et al, 2014) and fewer fruits and Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jad vegetables (Payne et al, 2012). Although previous prospective studies have not found evidence to support the reverse causality hypothesis (e.g.…”

Evaluation of the potential antidepressant effects of soybean isoflavones

“…50 That is, a change in dietary choices could be prompted by depressive symptoms. Diminished appetite is a symptom of major depression for many and there is also evidence that some people with depression are more likely to consume high-fat and high-sugar foods 51 and fewer fruits and vegetables than their non-depressed counterparts. 52 However, an analysis of data from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Study found that while current depression is associated with poorer dietary habits, a history of depression may prompt healthier dietary behaviors in the long term.…”