Dietary patterns linked with depression

People who eat a diet laden with processed and high-fat foods may put themselves at greater risk of depression, according to UCL research published today. The research team, led by Tasnime Akbaraly (UCL Epidemiology and Public Health), also found that eating a 'whole food? diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depressive symptoms in middle age. The study, published in the November issue of British Journal of Psychiatry , is the first to examine the association between overall diet and depression - previous studies have focused on the effect of individual nutrients. Researchers from UCL studied 3,486 people with an average age of 55, and who worked in civil service departments in London. Each participant completed a questionnaire about their eating habits, and a self-report assessment for depression. The researchers found that people with the highest intake of 'whole food? were less likely to report having symptoms of depression. In contrast, high consumption of processed food was associated with increased odds of depression.