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The Association between Vegan, Vegetarian, and Omnivore Diet Quality and Depressive Symptoms in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Hayley Walsh

    (Gold Coast Campus, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia)

  • Megan Lee

    (Gold Coast Campus, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
    NeuroHealth Lab, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Talitha Best

    (NeuroHealth Lab, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

Abstract

Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms are associated in cross-sectional and prospective-designed research. However, limited research has considered depression risk related to meat-based and plant-based dietary patterns. This study explores the association between diet quality and depressive symptoms across omnivore, vegan, and vegetarian dietary patterns. A cross-sectional online survey utilised the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CESD-20) to measure diet quality and depressive symptoms, respectively. A total of 496 participants identified as either omnivores ( n = 129), vegetarians ( n = 151), or vegans ( n = 216). ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc corrections indicates that dietary quality was significantly different between groups F(2, 493) = 23.61, p < 0.001 for omnivores and vegetarians and omnivores and vegans. Diet quality was highest in the vegan sample, followed by vegetarian and omnivore patterns. The results show a significant, moderately negative relationship between higher diet quality and lower depressive symptoms (r = −0.385, p < 0.001) across groups. Hierarchical regression showed that diet quality accounted for 13% of the variability in depressive symptoms for the omnivore sample, 6% for vegetarians, and 8% for vegans. This study suggests that diet quality in a meat-based or plant-based diet could be a modifiable lifestyle factor with the potential to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. The study indicates a greater protective role of a high-quality plant-based diet and lower depressive symptoms. Further intervention research is needed to understand the bi-directional relationship between diet quality and depressive symptoms across dietary patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Hayley Walsh & Megan Lee & Talitha Best, 2023. "The Association between Vegan, Vegetarian, and Omnivore Diet Quality and Depressive Symptoms in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3258-:d:1066628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Megan F. Lee & Douglas Angus & Hayley Walsh & Sally Sargeant, 2023. "“Maybe it’s Not Just the Food?” A Food and Mood Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Daniele Nucci & Cristina Fatigoni & Andrea Amerio & Anna Odone & Vincenza Gianfredi, 2020. "Red and Processed Meat Consumption and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
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