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Dietary intake of fish and PUFA, and clinical depressive and anxiety disorders in women

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Version 2 2024-05-30, 15:33
Version 1 2014-10-28, 09:45
journal contribution
posted on 2024-05-30, 15:33 authored by Felice JackaFelice Jacka, Julie PascoJulie Pasco, Lana WilliamsLana Williams, BJ Meyer, R Digger, Michael BerkMichael Berk
Fish and PUFA consumption are thought to play a role in mental health; however, many studies do not take into account multiple sources of PUFA. The present study analysed data from a sample of 935 randomly selected, population-based women aged 20–93 years. A validated and comprehensive dietary questionnaire ascertained the consumption of n-3 and n-6 PUFA. Another assessed fish and energy intake and provided data for a dietary quality score. The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) measured psychological symptoms and a clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Research Version, Non-patient edition) assessed depressive and anxiety disorders. Median dietary intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (310 mg/d) were below suggested dietary target levels. The only PUFA related to categorical depressive and anxiety disorders was DHA. There was a non-linear relationship between DHA intake and depression; those in the second tertile of DHA intake were nearly 70 % less likely to report a current depressive disorder compared to those in the first tertile. The relationship of DHA to anxiety disorders was linear; for those in the highest tertile of DHA intake, the odds for anxiety disorders were reduced by nearly 50 % after adjustments, including adjustment for diet quality scores, compared to the lowest tertile. Those who ate fish less than once per week had higher GHQ-12 scores, and this relationship was particularly obvious in smokers. These are the first observational data to indicate a role for DHA in anxiety disorders, but suggest that the relationship between DHA and depressive disorders may be non-linear.

History

Journal

British Journal of Nutrition

Volume

109

Pagination

2059-2066

Location

England

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

0007-1145

eISSN

1475-2662

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2012, The Authors

Issue

11

Publisher

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS