A comparative study of dietary habits and nutritional intakes among Korean adults according to current depression status

Introduction: Data regarding the association between depression and dietary factors in Korean adults are limited. We hypothesized that Korean men and women with depression would have poorer nutritional intakes and different dietary habits than those without depression. Methods: This study was based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted during 2012 to 2014. Overall, 10 591 subjects (4308 men, 6529 women) aged 19 to 64 years were selected and categorized according to current depression status. Food and nutrient intakes were estimated using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Results: Compared with non-depression, depression was associated with a higher body mass index and likelihood of a separated/divorced/widowed status, in addition to lower physical activity and employment rates. After adjusting for multiple variables, men with depression had lower intakes of rice cakes (P = 0.017) and eggs (P = 0.039) and a higher intake of chocolate (P = 0.040) than their non-depressed counterparts. Women with depression had a higher intake of carbonated drinks than those without depression (P = 0.015). However, the groups did not differ significantly in terms of nutrient intakes. A multivariable logistic regression analysis of dietary habits showed that depression correlated inversely with eating out (≥1 time/day vs <1 time/month) among men [odds ratio (OR) = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–0.55] and women (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05–0.35) and positively with a lower number of daily meals (<3 vs ≥3) among women (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01–2.11). Discussion: Current depression status was associated with differences in some specific dietary intakes and habits in a sample of Korean adults.