Patterns of nutrients intake in relation to depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among Iranian university employees: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

There are few studies examining the relationship between nutrient intake patterns and mental disorders.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the association between major nutrient patterns (NPs) and depression, anxiety, and distress among Iranian adults.

METHODS

A total of 2921 adults from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Employee's Cohort study were included in this cross-sectional study. A validated dish-based food frequency questionnaire was applied to assess dietary intakes. Mental health was examined by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. The association between NPs and anxiety, depression, and distress were established through logistic regression.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 41.4 (y), and 1800 (61.6%) were females. Two NPs were derived by principal components analysis. NP1 had high fatty acids, zinc, sodium, protein, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, biotin, niacin, cholesterol, copper, iron, folate, magnesium, calcium, and manganese. NP2 had high beta-carotene, vitamin A, maltose, sucrose, fructose, glucose, fiber, B6, potassium, and vitamin C. After considering confounders, no significant association was seen between NPs and depression in both genders. However, an inverse relation was detected between NP1 and distress among women (ORQ4 vs. Q1: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.39, 0.93). Also, NP1 was negatively related to 48% lower odds of anxiety in women (ORQ4 vs. Q1: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.32, 0.85). Such associations were not significant for NP2.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that NP high in fats, protein, and minerals are inversely related to anxiety and distress in women. However, this pattern was not related to depression in men and women. Further prospective studies are required to replicate the findings.