Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index, Mean Adequacy Ratio, Dietary Energy Density and Mental Health among Iranian Women

Abstract

Background: Depression and anxiety are on the rise, especially among women. By its inflammatory characteristics and energy density, diet may affect the occurrence of mental disorders. This study investigated the relationship between the dietaryinflammatory index (DII), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), dietary energy density (DED) and mental health. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 women of reproductive age (18-50 years) referred to health centers in Yasuj, Iran. Participants were randomly sampled from these centers. We assessed diet through a 148-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Then, DII, MAR, and DED scores were calculated for participants. Furthermore, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was used to assess anxiety and depression. Results: No significant association was found between the DII, ED, MAR indexes and obesity, anxiety, or depression, even after adjusting for confounders (p>0.05). Additionally, there was no association between the number of pregnancies or children with anxiety and depression (p>0.05). Younger participants consumed foods with higher ED index (p<0.001). Higher weight and BMI were related to tertile 1 of ED (p=0.03 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: In the present study, noassociation was observed between DII, MAR, DED and mental health in women of reproductive age. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords

• dietary inflammatory index
• dietary energy density
• mental health
• depression
• anxiety