Vegetarian diet is inversely associated with prevalence of depression in middle-older aged South Asians in the United States. Issue 4 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Yichen; Kandula, Namratha R.; Kanaya, Alka M.; Talegawkar, Sameera A.
• Is Part Of: Ethnicity & health. Volume 26:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 511
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: Vegetarian -- diet -- depression -- South Asians; Ethnic groups -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Ethnic Groups -- periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- periodicals; Social Sciences -- periodicals; 362.1089
• DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2019.1606166
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-7858

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate associations between a vegetarian diet and depression among South Asians in the United States. Design: Data from 892 South Asians (age range 40–83 y, 47% women) enrolled in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study were included. A vegetarian diet was defined as no intake of meat, poultry or fish in the previous year as reported on a validated food frequency questionnaire. Depressive symptomology was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and depression was classified as CES-D score ≥16. Multivariable logistic regression was used and covariates included age, sex, study site, education, smoking, body mass index, acculturation, intentional exercise, alcohol and energy intake, and antidepressant medication use. Results: Our study demonstrated 43% lower odds of depression among vegetarians ( p = 0.023). Conclusions: Vegetarian diet was found to be inversely associated with the prevalence of depression. Longitudinal examinations confirming these findings are needed.