Higher body mass index and better diet quality were associated with lower depressive symptoms in older adults, according to a recent study.
Researchers investigated the impact of diet quality and body mass index (BMI) on depressive symptoms in a cohort of 2,081 participants aged 65 and older from public housing estates in Hong Kong. The longitudinal study, conducted between 2014 and 2017, included annual assessments of diet, BMI, and depressive symptoms.
Key findings include:
- The mean age of participants was 79.65 years (standard deviation = 7.94), with 56% female.
- At baseline, higher diet quality (B = -0.95, p < .001), higher BMI (B = -0.09, p < .001), younger age (B = 0.40, p = .001), male sex (B = 0.76, p < .001), and fewer chronic conditions (B = 0.39, p < .001) were associated with lower depressive symptoms.
- Over the four-year follow-up, depressive symptoms decreased significantly (intercept = 2.68, p < .001; slope = -0.25, p < .001).
- Higher BMI (B = 0.02, p = .04) and diet quality (B = 0.14, p = .05) were associated with a slower decline in depressive symptoms over time.
The study, published in BMC Geriatrics, observed that higher BMI and better diet quality were linked to a slower decline in depressive symptoms. These findings align with the "jolly fat" hypothesis, which suggests that a higher BMI may be associated with a lower risk of depression in older adults. However, this contrasts with findings in younger populations. The presence of chronic diseases also influenced depressive symptoms, while proximity to supermarkets and fast-food outlets did not significantly affect the outcomes.
These results highlight the potential relationship between diet, BMI, and mental health in older adults, particularly those managing chronic diseases.
Full disclosures can be found in the published study.