A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition investigates the relationships between nutrient patterns and depressive symptoms (DS) in a cohort of elderly individuals over a period of up to 16 years. The study began with a cohort of 1,755 individuals from the 3C Bordeaux cohort who responded to a dietary survey. The final study sample consisted of 1,063 participants, after excluding those with missing data on selected nutrients or who had existing diagnoses of dementia. At baseline, the study sample was predominantly composed of women (56.6%) with an average age of 75.6 years.
Participants’ lifestyle habits were diverse: the majority were never smokers, with alcohol consumption averaging 14 glasses per week. Around 31.4% of participants engaged in optimal levels of physical activity, and approximately 15.9% had a BMI over 30 kg/m², which is categorized as obesity. Multimorbidity was common in the sample, with 57.1% of participants experiencing more than one chronic condition. Depressive symptomatology was measured using the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression) scale, with an average score of 4.9/60, indicating low levels of depressive symptoms at baseline.
To assess nutrient patterns and their association with depressive symptoms, the researchers utilized a range of techniques. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics were first described using t-tests for quantitative variables and chi-square tests for qualitative variables. To identify patterns in nutrient intake, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the 40 selected nutrients. PCA is a data reduction technique that allows researchers to identify the main patterns, or components, that summarize the variability in large datasets like those in nutritional studies.
The study found a significant association between specific nutrient patterns and the risk of developing depressive symptoms. In particular, nutrient patterns that emphasized the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins were linked to lower odds of developing depressive symptoms over time. On the other hand, patterns characterized by higher intakes of refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and processed foods were associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. This suggests that a diet rich in nutrient-dense, whole foods may have a protective effect against the development of depression in elderly populations.
From a clinical perspective, the findings suggest that dietary interventions, such as increasing the intake of nutrient-dense foods while reducing processed foods and unhealthy fats, may be beneficial for improving mental health in aging populations. Public health initiatives that promote healthier eating habits could, therefore, play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of depression among older adults, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing the burden of mental health conditions. By identifying key nutrient patterns that are associated with mental health outcomes, this research contributes to the growing body of evidence linking diet and mental health.
Sources: European Journal of Nutrition
