Depression is a serious psychiatric condition that is manifested by physical and mental symptoms. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. This imbalance may occur as the result of a change in your diet. Depression may be a reason for dieting in the first place and the act of dieting itself can be a depressing experience. Therefore, the nature of the relationship between depression and dieting is complex.
Carbohydrates
Diets that emphasize a low-carbohydrate intake, such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet, lead to lower levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood, according to a 2004 article published in "Psychology Today." Although low levels of serotonin are associated with clinical depression, such changes are unlikely to have a significant impact on mood, unless there is a pre-existing depression, states Dr. Philip Cowen. According to Dr. Cowen, the effect of low-carb diets on women with a history of depression is mild and typically results in only a slight decrease in perceived affect.
Types of Diets
"The American Journal of Psychiatry" published a study in March 2010 that compared a traditional diet to a Western diet and their impact on depression in over 1,000 women. A traditional diet included a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat and fish. A Western diet was composed of fried foods, refined grains and sugary products. This study found that women with a traditional diet had lower levels of major depression than women who habitually followed a Western diet. In addition, the quality of one's diet was negatively related to depression.
Sweets
Cutting out high-calorie foods can be difficult when dieting. This is particularly true when it comes to sugary foods and drinks such as cake and sodas, especially since the consumption of sweets helps to reduce negative affect, according to an article published in the February 2010 issue of "Appetite." This hypothesis was supported by a study of over 4,000 women between the ages of 40 and 65, in which researchers found an association between depressive symptoms and the consumption of high-calorie sweet foods.
Weight Loss
Depression may contribute to unsuccessful diets. In fact, changes in mood may be just as important as changes in eating habits in order to lose weight, according to a study conducted by Dr. Gregory Simon, et al., which was published in the November/December 2010 issue of "General Hospital Psychiatry." Dr. Simon and fellow researchers found that after six months of dieting, weight loss was significantly greater among women who experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms as opposed to those who did not.
References
- "Appetite"; Reported Food Choices in Older Women in Relation to BMI and Depressive Symptoms; Robert W. Jeffrey, Ph D. et al.; February 2009
- Science Daily: Treating Women's Depression Might Help Them Lose Weight
- "The American Journal of Psychiatry"; Association of Western and traditional diets with depression and anxiety in women; F. N. Jacka et al.; March 2010
- Psychology Today: Low-Carb State of Mind
