Dietary exposures and common mental illness in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA): a cohort-level GLAD project analysis

BackgroundWorldwide, common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are major contributors to disability. However, the role of diet as a risk factor for anxiety and depression remains underexplored. Therefore, we investigated the associations between food groups and major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders, following a harmonized protocol to enable integration of studies. MethodsWe analysed data from 1,634 participants in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety to examine cross-sectional associations between 14 dietary exposures--derived from a 238-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, milk, red meat, processed meat, sweet drinks, fibre, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and trans fats)--and anxiety and depressive disorders in the past month (assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview). Secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology score [&ge;]13 vs. <13) and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Index score [&ge;]16 vs. <16). Logistic regression analyses were conducted for each dietary exposure, with depression and anxiety measures as outcomes. Results8.7% had MDD and 14.4% had an anxiety disorder in the past month. Higher vegetable intake was associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety disorders. Additionally, higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, red meat, whole grains, and fibre were associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety, whereas higher intake of trans fats was associated with increased odds of these disorders. Other dietary exposures were not significantly related to depression or anxiety. DiscussionCertain dietary exposures, particularly vegetables, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, red meat, whole grains, and fibre, were associated with depression and anxiety outcomes. These findings may contribute to integration of results in Global Burden of Diseases initiatives on exploring dietary risk factors of depression and anxiety.