Ultra-Processed Food Is Positively Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among United States Adults

Liwen Zheng, Jing Sun, Xiaohui Yu, Dongfeng Zhang, Liwen Zheng, Jing Sun, Xiaohui Yu, Dongfeng Zhang

Abstract

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are popular in the United States. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the health impact of UPF. This study is conducted to assess the association between UPF consumption and depressive symptoms among United States adults. Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016. Dietary data were obtained through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Depressive symptoms were detected by a nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire; participants with more than 10 points were diagnosed with depressive symptoms. Results of logistic regression revealed a positive association between UPF consumption and depressive symptoms. The study suggests that UPF may increase the risk of depressive symptoms, particularly in people with less exercise.

Keywords: NHANES; cross-sectional study; depressive symptoms; dose-response; ultra-processed food.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2020 Zheng, Sun, Yu and Zhang.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of screening process for the selection of the study participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dose–response relationship of ultra-processed food and risk of depressive symptoms. Model adjusted for age, sex, race, BMI, educational level, annual family income, marital status, physical activity, drinking, smoking, current hypertension, diabetes history, heart disease history, and chronic bronchitis. Solid line and dash line represent the estimated relative risks and their 95% CIs, respectively.

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