Link between fast food & depression confirmed

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The link between fast food and depression confirmed

March 30th, 2012 in Health

According to a recent study headed by scientists from the University of Las

Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada, eating commercial

baked goods (fairy cakes, croissants, doughnuts, etc.) and fast food

(hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza) is linked to depression.

Published in the Public Health Nutrition journal, the results reveal that

consumers of fast food, compared to those who eat little or none, are 51%

more likely to develop depression.

Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed. In other words this

means that " the more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of

depression, " explains Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, lead author of the study,

to SINC.

The study demonstrates that those participants who eat the most fast food

and commercial baked goods are more likely to be single, less active and

have poor dietary habits, which include eating less fruit, nuts, fish,

vegetables and olive oil. Smoking and working more than 45 hours per week

are other prevalent characteristics of this group.

A long-term study

With regard to the consumption of commercial baked goods, the results are

equally conclusive. " Even eating small quantities is linked to a

significantly higher chance of developing depression, " as the university

researcher from the Canary Islands points out.

The study sample belonged to the SUN Project (University of Navarra Diet and

Lifestyle Tracking Program). It consisted of 8,964 participants that had

never been diagnosed with depression or taken antidepressants. They were

assessed for an average of six months, and 493 were diagnosed with

depression or started to take antidepressants.

This new data supports the results of the SUN project in 2011, which were

published in the PLoS One journal. The project recorded 657 new cases of

depression out of the 12,059 people analysed over more than six months. A

42% increase in the risk associated with fast food was found, which is lower

than that found in the current study.

Sánchez-Villegas concludes that " although more studies are necessary, the

intake of this type of food should be controlled because of its implications

on both health (obesity, cardiovascular diseases) and mental well-being. "

The impact of diet on mental health

Depression affects 121 million people worldwide. This figure makes it one of

the main global causes of disability-adjusted life year. Further still, in

countries with low and medium income it is the leading cause.

However, little is known about the role that diet plays in developing

depressive disorders. Previous studies suggest that certain nutrients have a

preventative role. These include group B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and

olive oil. Furthermore, a healthy diet such as that enjoyed in the

Mediterranean has been linked to a lower risk of developing depression.

More information: Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, Estefanía Toledo, Jokin de

Irala, Ruiz-Canela, Pla-Vidal and A Martínez-González.

" Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of

depression " . Public Health Nutrition: page 1 of 9

doi:10.1017/S1368980011001856

Provided by FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology

" The link between fast food and depression confirmed. " March 30th, 2012.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-link-fast-food-depression.html

Posted by

Karl Stonjek