Food intake and blood cholesterol levels of community-based adults with mood disorders

Abstract

BackgroundA growing body of literature links nutrition to mood, especially in epidemiological surveys, but there is little information characterizing food intake in people with diagnosed mood disorders.MethodsFood intake obtained from 3-day food records was evaluated in 97 adults with mood disorders, whose diagnoses were confirmed in structured interviews. Information from a population nutrition survey, national guidelines for nutritional intakes (Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide) and North American dietary guidelines (Dietary Reference Intakes) was utilized to evaluate the quality of their food intake.ResultsCompared to the regional nutrition survey data and national guidelines, a greater proportion of study participants consumed fewer of the recommended servings of grains (p < 0.001) and vegetables and fruits (p < 0.05), and less than the lower boundary of the Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for α-linolenic acid (p < 0.001). The study sample also had greater intakes of high-fat whole grain products (p < 0.01), processed meats (p < 0.00001), and higher sugar, fat or salty foods (p < 0.00001). Of the 1746 total meals and snacks consumed, 39% were from sources outside the home, suggesting a lack of time devoted to meal preparation. Finally, a subsample of 48 participants agreed to have blood tests: 44% had mild hypercholesterolemia (> 5.2 and ≤ 6.2 mmol/L) and 21% had hypercholesterolemia (> 6.2 mmol/L).ConclusionsMuch research has proposed multiple ways in which healthier diets may exert protective effects on mental health. The results of this study suggest that adults with mood disorders could benefit from nutritional interventions to improve diet quality.

Relationship between depression and risk of malnutrition among community-dwelling young-old and old-old elderly people

“…Nutritional characteristics, measured by MNA-SF, of young-old and old-old participants with and without depression. they often associate depression with loss of appetite or weight loss (Akbaraly et al, 2009;Davison & Kaplan, 2012). However, the rates of depressed participants in this study with loss of appetite or weight loss were 13.6% and 30.5% in the young-old and old-old, respectively, and were relatively low.…”

Dietary intake and plasma metabolomic analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in bipolar subjects reveal dysregulation of linoleic acid metabolism

“…Analysis of food level data, not discussed, largely explains the decreased PUFA intake with decreased intake of fish. We did not explore the association between fish intake and bipolar illness, but previous studies reported this specific relationship (Noaghiul et al, 2003) as well as general poorer nutrition patterns in bipolar subjects (Davison & Kaplan, 2012; Kilbourne et al, 2007). Therefore our observations in our study population are consistent with previous findings.…”

Associations between Western and Mediterranean-type dietary patterns and anxiety and stress

“…Individuals with mood disorders often have low quality diets containing lower than recommendations of fruit, vegetables, and grains and greater intakes of palatable foods including processed meats and sugar, fat and salty foods (DAVISON & KAPLAN, 2012). It is suggested that changes in stress infl uence food choices (OLIVER & WARDLE, 1999).…”