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Dietary patterns, body mass index and inflammation: pathways to depression and mental health problems in adolescents
While observational studies are demonstrating an association between healthy dietary intake and mental health, this study aimed to elucidate some of the biological mechanisms underpinning this association. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between dietary patterns, BMI (Body Mass Index), and mental health. The study’s author and her colleagues (2018) collected data from 843 adolescents at age 14 and 17 respectively, along with BMI (body mass index) and biomarkers of inflammation (the hormone leptin and C-reactive protein). Findings indicated that a high intake of Western foods, including meat, takeaway foods, refined foods, and sugary foods, at the age of 14 was associated with a higher BMI. And that this higher BMI, by the age of 17, was associated with not only higher BMI, but higher biological markers of inflammation, depressive symptoms and mental health problems. This study provided increased understanding of some of the biological pathways occurring from the Western dietary pattern that connect this pattern with depression and mental health issues in adolescents. [NPID: depression, anxiety, mental illness, inflammation, leptin, C-reactive protein, meat, refined foods, sugary foods, sugar, Western-style diet, WS diet]
Year: 2018
