Contribution of obesity in the association between fast-food consumption and depression: A mediation analysis
Depression is a major mental health issue, and the widespread consumption of fast food in modern diets raises concerns about its potential impact on mental well-being. Addressing this public health issue requires an understanding of the intricate connection between eating fast food, obesity, and depression. Data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES), which involved 31,460 people and were gathered between 2008 and 2018, were examined in this study by Shafiee et al. (2024). Among the 31,460 participants, 2,871 showed signs of depression, with an average age of 48.2 years. Each additional fast-food meal consumed weekly was associated with a 4% increased likelihood of depression, with consuming more than two meals per week raising the odds by 24%. Modified models examining the connection between depression, fast food consumption, and body mass index (BMI) showed that higher fast-food consumption was associated with a higher risk, especially in subgroups based on obese status. Mediation analysis suggested that the relationship between fast-food intake and depression was largely independent of obesity, as obesity explained only 6.5% of the total effect. Patients with a higher BMI, especially those with a BMI of 30 or 40, showed a larger mediated impact, whereas the overweight grouping showed no discernible mediation effect. These findings were supported by sensitivity analysis, which used more cautious estimates for each category. Fast food intake and depression are significantly correlated, according to one study. While obesity contributes to this relationship, it does not fully account for the association, suggesting that other factors may also be involved. [NPID: Fast food, depression, obesity, body mass index, National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, BMI, mental health, dietary patterns, mediation analysis, public health]
Year: 2024
