Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Specific Ratios of Macronutrient: Intake to Reduce the Risk of Depressive Symptoms in People Aged 55 Years and Older in Northern China

Yuxia Ma*, Xian Gao, Xin Huang, Yan Sun, Huichen Zhu, Meiqi Zhou, Qingxia Li, Limin Zhang, Shuaishuai Lv, Yutian Zhou and Jun Ge*

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests a link between diet and depression. However, the existing research conclusions are inconsistent.

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the association between dietary macronutrient intake and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: We collected data on the diets of middle-aged and elderly people in northern China and assessed depression status. The relationship between dietary macronutrient intake and risk of depressive symptoms was explored using Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS), and the combined effect among macronutrients was further explored using the Generalized Additive Models (GAMs).

Results: Of 3,095 study subjects, 808 (26.11%) were assessed as having depressive symptoms. An RCS analysis revealed the following: the proportion of monounsaturated fat energy supply and Polyunsaturated Fat Energy Supply (PFES-P) were negatively associated with the risk of depressive symptoms; the Proportion of Carbohydrate Energy Supply (PCES) was positively associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. As analysis of GAM found that the risk of depressive symptoms was at a lower level when the PCES was less than 50% and the PFES was more than 40%. The risk of depressive symptoms decreased as the PFES-P increased, and the risk further decreased when the PFES-P exceeded 20%.

Conclusion: A dietary pattern characterized by a high PFES (>40%), particularly a PFES-P >20% and a low PCES (<50%) is recommended as a dietary pattern for depression prevention in middle-aged and older adults.

Published Date: 2022-09-23; Received Date: 2022-08-22