Is there an association between diet and depression in children and adolescents? A systematic review

Khalid, S., Williams, C. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4452-671X and Reynolds, S. A. (2016) Is there an association between diet and depression in children and adolescents? A systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition, 116 (12). pp. 2097-2108. ISSN 0007-1145 doi: 10.1017/S0007114516004359

Abstract/Summary

This review critically evaluates previous research investigating the association between dietary intake of children and young people and depression and related mental health problems. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PSYCINFO, MEDLINE, PUBMED and COCHRANE. Twenty studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently rated for quality. The studies used a range of methods to measure dietary intake and mental health. Important potential confounding variables (e.g. socio-economic status) were often not included or controlled. There were also inconsistencies in the use of key constructs, which made comparisons between studies difficult. Despite some contradictory results, overall there was support for an association between healthy dietary patterns or consumption of a high quality diet and lower levels of depression or better mental health. Similarly, there was a relationship between unhealthy diet and consumption of low quality diet and depression or poor mental health. However, where significant relationships were reported effect sizes were small. Future research on the relationship between diet and mental health in young people should use more clearly defined constructs to define diet and include or control for important confounds.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/68286
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Nutrition and Health Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Anxiety and Depression in Young People (AnDY)
Uncontrolled Keywords	depression, anxiety, nutrition, diet, children, adolescents
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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