Overall diet quality, food groups and mental health disorders among Brazilians older than 15 years old: Brazilian National Health Survey – 2019
Dietary intake rich in nutrients can help with mental health issues, including depression. However, it is unclear whether this effect is due to specific dietary components or the overall nutrient-dense diet, especially in countries with diverse food options. This study by Leme, Natacci & da Silva Torres (2024) aimed to investigate the relationship between individual food groups and depression as well as other mental health disorders. Data was collected from 89,955 Brazilians through the National Health Survey. Mental health and dietary information were gathered using a screener questionnaire. People with depression had significantly lower diet scores for vegetables/fruits, grains/roots, and beans but higher scores for sweetened beverages, sweets and sugars, and high-fat/sodium products. Individuals with other mental disorders had lower scores for grains/roots and higher scores for sweets and sugars and high-fat/sodium products. People with mental health disorders tend to have an unhealthier diet, with stronger associations between certain food groups and depression compared to other mental disorders. The prevention of these illnesses requires further investigation. [NPID: Nutrient-dense diet, mental health, depression, food groups, dietary intake, Brazil, national health survey, vegetables and fruits, high-fat products, mental disorders]
Year: 2024
