Dieting with less calories potentially contributes to increased depression.
Revised Article:
- A new study explores the potential impact of dieting on depression symptoms
It's no secret that many adults in the States grapple with their weight, whether it's shedding a few pounds or maintaining a healthy BMI. Dieting can take various forms, from cutting calories to adopting specific regimens like the carnivore diet. While losing weight can be crucial for some, it's equally vital to do it healthfully.
Recent research led by Canadian scientists reveals a possible link between dieting and depression symptoms, particularly when calorie or nutrient intake is excessively restricted. The study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, analyzed data from over 28,000 participants to examine this connection.
Linking diet and mental health
Depression affects millions each year, with cases in the U.S. on the rise. According to latest data from the CDC, 18.4% of adults in the U.S. reported ever receiving a depression diagnosis.
Research has shown that a balanced diet may bolster mental health, while processed foods can harm it. However, data on calorie and nutrient restriction, a gap the current study aimed to fill, is sparse.
The researchers classified participants into four groups: those on a calorie-restricted diet (8%), nutrient-restricted diet (3%), those following established medical dietary patterns (2%), and those not on any specific diet (87%). They then compared participants' responses to a depression assessment and considered factors like BMI and biological sex.
Men on low-calorie diets may face the highest mental health risk
The researchers found a correlation between the diet category participants were in and their depression scores. Overall, 7.79% of participants reported depressive symptoms.
People in the calorie-restriction group had higher overall scores, with an increase of 0.29 points compared to the other groups. This increase was more pronounced among participants with higher BMIs in the calorie-restriction group, whose scores were higher by an average of 0.46 points.
Nutrient restriction posed even more concerning associations, especially for overweight individuals. While the nutrient-restriction group didn't have a higher depression score overall, overweight people in this group had a score that was 0.61 points higher.
When looking at biological sex, the researchers saw some associations emerge. The researchers observed that "in biological men, all three dietary patterns were associated with higher somatic symptom scores" - physical symptoms related to psychiatric distress.
Men who followed a nutrient-restricted diet were also more likely to experience an increase in cognitive-affective symptoms, potentially due to their greater caloric and nutritional needs.
Why might calorie restriction impact mental health?
Amy Roethler, RDN, LD, a dietitian and nutritionist at Newport Healthcare's PrairieCare program, shared her thoughts on the study.
"For quite some time, there's been a suspicion that significant calorie restriction can lead to negative impacts on one's mental health, specifically depressive symptoms. This study provides additional evidence supporting this theory," Roethler said.
Roethler further explained that, from her experience working with patients, they tend not to focus as much on nutrient intake but instead focus more on calorie restriction – which is why this might happen.
Roethler also recommended that primary care providers who work with patients aiming to lose weight with a history of depression refer their patients to registered dietitians for guidance.
Timothy Frie, MS, CNE, a neuronutritionist and nutritional psychology researcher, spoke about the study, in which he was not involved.
"The finding that calorie restriction is linked to increased depressive symptoms, especially in men and those with elevated BMI, underscores that mental health consequences may arise when dietary changes are made without adequate support, monitoring, or nutrient sufficiency," Frie said.
Frie explained that calorie restriction can sometimes lead to cutting out essential foods for mood regulation, such as B vitamins, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates. The researchers hope to future research focusing on specific nutritional deficits that may occur with dieting and their effect on depressive symptoms.
- The study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health suggests that extreme calorie or nutrient restriction in dieting may lead to an increase in depression symptoms, particularly among individuals with higher BMIs.
- It is interesting to note that among the different diet groups analyzed, men on low-calorie diets had the highest scores for depressive symptoms, and men following a nutrient-restricted diet were more likely to experience an increase in cognitive-affective symptoms.
- While maintaining a healthy diet is essential for both physical health and mental wellbeing, this study highlights the importance of ensuring proper nutrient intake when restricting calories, as dietary deficiencies may negatively impact mental health.
- According to Timothy Frie, MS, CNE, a neuronutritionist and nutritional psychology researcher, the findings underscore the importance of providing support, monitoring, and ensuring nutrient sufficiency when making dietary changes, as mental health consequences may arise without these preconditions.
- This study emphasizes the role of science in understanding the interplay between diet, mental health, and overall health-and-wellness, and the need for collaboration between various disciplines, including nutrition, psychology, and medicine, to address complex issues like depression and its potential triggers.
