The association between quality of habitual diet and mental health status among Iraqi women attending primary health care centers

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests a role for diet quality in the common mental disorders depression and anxiety.

Objective. We aimed to investigate the association between diet quality, dietary patterns, and the common mental disorders in Iraqi females.

Methods: a cross-sectional study, in 400 females whom attended to the five main primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Baghdad. It was applied a special certified survey for assessment of the normal diet, and the anxiety plus depression scale to assess the mental status of patients. Results were analysed by ANOVA and Multivariate analysis to adjust for the effect of other variables, P<0.05 was considered significant.  

Results: a healthy diet that was high in vegetable content decrease depressive symptoms (P=0.009) and was not associated with anxiety (P=0.761), while high fat intake increased anxiety (P=0.038) and there was no relation with depression (P=0.674). For diary products intake the results were, P=0.381 for depression and P=0.041 for anxiety).

Conclusions: Females with healthy wealthy nutritional status were less likely to be depressed, whereas a higher intake of fatty and  unhealthy foods was associated with increased anxiety.