Journal of
Neuroscience and Behavioral Health

  • Abbreviation: J. Neurosci. Behav. Health
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2286
  • DOI: 10.5897/JNBH
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 67

Full Length Research Paper

Relation between depression and Omega-3 fatty acids: A study in the Greek population

Archaniotis I. Vasilios1, Wozniak Greta2*, Zoe Roupa2, Mouzas D. Odysseas3and Constantinos Tsipras4
1Primary Health Care Course Program, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Mezourlo, Larissa, Greece. 2Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Mezourlo, Larissa, Greece. 3Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Mezourlo, Larissa, Greece. 4Endocrinologist, Outwards Patients, Athens, Greece.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 02 November 2010
  •  Published: 31 December 2010

Abstract

The role of essential fatty acids in the human body and especially the decreased levels of it in patients with depression is a domain of interest for many researchers. The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between consumption of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and depressive symptoms in the general population at the area of Larissa, central Greece. The sample consisted of 300 individuals (mean age 41.01, 137 men (46%) and 163 women (54%), randomly selected by the method of stratified multistage sampling. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used in order to investigate the relationship between food consumption and depression. A statistically significant negative correlation was detected between fish consumption and score at the BDI-II (-0.451, p<0.01). As concern the kind of fish consumed by our sample, statistically significant negative correlation was also detected by Pearson's Correlation Test. Individuals with increased consumption of fatty fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) have reduced scores at the BDI-II (-0.453, p<0.01). The same statistical difference was found among the combined consumption of fish, seafood and food supplements (containing omega-3 fatty acids) and BDI-II score (-0.480, p<0.01). Finally, the combined consumption of fruit, vegetables and nuts was negatively correlated with BDI-II score (-0.260, p<0.01). The present study indicates that depressed mood in our sample is negatively associated with dietary intakes of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also clear that omega-3 fatty acids should be delivered in a dietary framework that includes and other important nutrients contained in fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Key words: Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, depression, nutrition, general population.