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Fruits and vegetables consumption and depressive symptoms: A population-based study in Peru
Fruits and vegetables consumption and depressive symptoms:
This 2017 study aimed to evaluate the association between the consumption of fruits and/or vegetables (FV) with depressive symptoms. Using data from a population-based survey from 25 regions in Peru, the presence of depressive symptoms was determined according to the Patient Health Questionnaire (≥15 signified major depressive syndrome) while the 25,901 participants (mean age 44.2, 54% women) self-reported their intakes of FV. The results showed only 910 (3.8%) individuals reported consuming ≥5 servings of FV a day, and 819 (2.8%) people had depressive symptoms. Those in the lowest tertile of FV intake showed a greater risk of developing depressive symptoms (PR = 1.88) than those in the highest tertile. This association was stronger with fruits (PR = 1.92) than vegetables (PR = 1.42) alone. As well as discovering an inverse association between FV consumption with depressive symptoms, this study found that less than 5% of subjects ate ≥5 servings/day, the recommended number by WHO. This indicates the need to promote improved dietary patterns in order to potentially benefit mental health. [NPID: fruits, vegetables, FV intake, Peru, depressive symptoms, depression, mental health]
Year: 2017
