Consumo alimentar e depressão em adultos brasileiros: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013

Abstract

Introduction: Recently, there has been great interest in the effect of diet on mental health issues. Results indicate the preventive role of foods such as fruits and vegetables in the occurrence of depression, while foods high in sugars and fats would increase the risk of disease. Despite this, studies are still scarce and controversial results. Objective: Evaluating the association between dietary intake and depression in Brazilian adults. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from 46.785 adults interviewed in the National Health Survey in 2013. The regular consumption (≥5x/week) of fruits, vegetables, soft drinks, sweets and the meal for snack replacement were the exhibitions of interest. The Major depression and minor depression, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 instrument, were the outcomes. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of depression were calculated as a function of socioeconomic, demographic and food consumption markers. Simple and multiple multinomial regression models, adjusted for confounding variables, were performed to obtain adjusted odds ratios (OR) and adjusted OR, respectively. Results: Individuals with regular sweets consumption were 42.0% more likely to present major depression (OR=1.42; 95% CI=1.24-1.62). The sweets consumption was associated with major depression for both genders (men: OR=1.47; 95% CI=1.12-1.93; women: OR=1.40; 95% CI=1.19-1.63); While to the soft drinks regular consumption and regular replacement of meals for snacks, was associated with major depression only among women (OR=1.17; 95% CI=1.01-1.63 and OR=1.28; 95% CI=1.01-1.64, respectively). Those who consumed beans regularly had likely 18% less to present major depression in the general population (OR=0.82; 95% CI=0.73-0.93) and among women. Among men, those who regularly consumed vegetables, had 27% lower probability of presenting major depression (OR=0.73; 95% CI=0.57-0.93). Conclusion: There is an indication of a possible role of food in depression: being regular sweets consumption and regular replacement of meals for snacks associated with higher probability of depression, and regular consumption of beans associated with less probability. Longitudinal studies exploring the mechanisms of these associations are necessary before recommendations are made in public health.