Associação entre depressão, padrão alimentar e padrão de sono de adultos americanos participantes do National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018

Abstract

Depression is a common mental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the WHO, it is estimated that more than 280 million people suffer from depression symptoms, making it one of the leading causes of disability and influencing various aspects of an individual's life, including eating and sleeping patterns. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and dietary and sleep patterns in U.S. adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. The study included individuals of both sexes aged 18 years or older. To assess depressive symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was used. Dietary intake was collected through a 24-hour recall, and sleep patterns were assessed through questions regarding bedtime and wake-up time on weekdays and weekends. Anthropometric data such as weight, height, and circumferences were measured by trained researchers. Adjusted linear regression tests for potential confounding factors were used to evaluate the association between PHQ scores and dietary patterns, sleep patterns, and anthropometric variables. A positive association was observed between the timing of the last (β = 0,047; IC: 0,026; 0,068) and first (β = 0,029; IC: 0,002; 0,055) meal, as well as the midpoint of food intake (β = 0,038; IC: 0,018; 0,058), with the total PHQ score. Additionally, a positive association was found between the total PHQ score and bedtime (β = 0,040; IC: 0,019; 0,061) and wake-up time (β = 0,029; IC: 0,006; 0,052), while a negative association was observed between the total PHQ score and sleep duration (β = -0,011; IC: -0,033; 0,009) and quality (β = -0,010; IC: -0,017; -0,003). Finally, a positive association between BMI (β = 0,113; IC: 0,003; 0,224) and the total PHQ score was also observed. The findings of this study indicate a significant relationship between depression, BMI, meal timing, and sleep patterns, which may negatively impact people's lives. Further studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.