Diets with fewer calories could potentially heighten feelings of depression.
A Peculiar Insight into Calorie Restriction and Mental Health – A revised look at a new study from Toronto
When it comes to shedding those extra pounds, many people often resort to drastic measures – cutting calories, eliminating entire food groups, and sometimes even embracing extreme diets like the carnivore diet. However, a recent study led by researchers from Toronto, Canada suggests that such dieting strategies might not only harm our physical health but also leave a detrimental impact on our mental well-being, particularly men and overweight individuals.
Calorie restriction: A double-edged sword
In the United States, about two-thirds of adults struggle with overweight or obesity issues. Losing weight has become a common goal for many, and calorie restriction is one approach that often comes to mind. Dietitians usually recommend a daily calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories to aid in weight loss of around 1-2 pounds per week. Reducing sugar intake and making simple food swaps are some effective strategies. But what about the extreme measures?
The researchers in this study wanted to delve deeper into the possible mental health implications of dieting methods that restrict calories or nutrients, a little-explored aspect until now. Their findings have been published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
The connection between diet and mental health
Depression is a significant issue that affects millions of people worldwide, with cases in the U.S. on the rise. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.4% of American adults have reported receiving a depression diagnosis.
Research indicates that a balanced diet can support better mental health, while processed foods might negatively impact it. Yet, there is a need for more information about calorie and nutrient restriction, an area this study aimed to clarify.
The researchers analyzed data from 28,525 participants, combining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The NHANES provides data on health and nutrition, while the PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptoms.
The participants were grouped into four categories:
- Those on a calorie-restricted diet (8%)
- Nutrient-restricted dieters (3%)
- People following established medical dietary patterns, such as the DASH diet (2%)
- Those not on any diet (87%)
Using the PHQ-9, the researchers measured depressive symptoms, keeping factors such as body mass index (BMI) and biological sex in mind.
Calorie restriction: A potential mental health hazard for specific groups
The study revealed a correlation between the participants' diet categories and their depressive symptoms. On average, 7.79% of the participants displayed depressive symptoms.
Calorie-restricted dieters showed an increase in overall depressive symptom scores, averaging 0.29 points more than the other groups. This correlation was even stronger for individuals with higher BMI in the calorie-restriction group – their scores increased by an average of 0.46 points.
For those on a nutrient-restricted diet, the overall depression score was not higher, but when focusing on overweight people in this group, their PHQ-9 score was significantly higher by 0.61 points.
The researchers observed a trend in the biological sex of the participants as well. They noted higher somatic symptom scores – physical symptoms related to psychiatric distress – in biological men, with all three dietary patterns being associated with higher scores.
Why does calorie restriction impact mental health?
Amy Roethler, a dietitian and nutritionist for Newport Healthcare's PrairieCare program, shed some light on the study findings, expressing her belief that significant calorie restriction can indeed lead to negative mental health impacts, including depressive symptoms. She added that restricting calories without focusing enough on nutrient intake is a common issue she encounters when working with patients.
Timothy Frie, a neuronutritionist, and nutritional psychology researcher explained that cutting calories can sometimes lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in B vitamins, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates. Lack of these nutrients can negatively affect mood and cognitive function, thereby potentially contributing to depressive symptoms.
The study authors plan to further explore specific nutritional deficits that might occur during dieting and their impact on depressive symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- Calorie restriction can lead to an increased risk of depression, particularly in men and overweight individuals.
- Nutrient deficiencies might be responsible for these negative effects on mental health.
- It is crucial to maintain a balanced diet and consult a registered dietitian if trying to lose weight while struggling with depression.
[1] Turnbull, R. M., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2009). "Dieting behaviors and weight control strategies among young adults: The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health". Obesity Reviews, 10(2), 130–142.
[2] Hardman, S. R., Gaynes, B. N., Gan providers who are working with patients trying to lose weight who also have a history of depression refer their patients to registered dietitians for guidance.
[3] van den Akker-Scheer, M., x with a history of depression refer their patients to registered dietitians for guidance.
[4] Link, B. G., et al. (2014). "Depression in adults with cancer: State of the art, research needs, and opportunities for intervention". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 64(4), 203–217.
[5] Whisner, C. M., & Stewart, J. M. (2015). "Obesity and mental health: Mediating factors". International Journal of Obesity, 39(1), 68–77.
- TheToronto study reveals that calorie restriction may elevate depression scores, particularly among overweight individuals and men.
- Nutrient-deficient diets, often associated with calorie restriction, may negatively impact mental health by causing deficiencies in B vitamins, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates.
- Dietitians should be consulted by individuals trying to lose weight who may also be battling depression due to potential negative mental health effects of calorie restriction.
- Previous research has shown a correlation between dieting behaviors and depression among young adults, as well as the importance of seeking guidance from registered dietitians for weight management.
- In the case of adults with cancer, addressing depression is crucial for overall well-being, and dietitians may play a key role in both weight management and mental health support.
- Research on the link between obesity and mental health suggests that certain mediating factors may contribute to this connection, making it vital to consider mental health during weight management strategies.
