Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents

Wendy Oddy, Siobhan Hickling, Michael Smith, Therese O'Sullivan, Monique Robinson, Nicholas de Klerk, Lawrence Beilin, Trevor Mori, Julie Syrette, Stephen Zubrick, Sven Silburn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background Previous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated thatomega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression. However, there is limited evidence regarding the influence of dietary n-3 PUFA intake on mood in adolescents drawn from population studies. Objective In the present investigation, we examined the relationship between dietary n-3 PUFA intake on depression symptomatology in a large prospective pregnancy cohort followed for 17 years. Methods Adolescents enrolled in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess dietary fatty acid intake, as well as other dietary factors at age 14 and a fasting blood sample was taken. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) at age 14 (N=1,407) and at age 17 (N=995). Results An inverse relationship was observed between intake of both saturated fat and of n-3 PUFA at age 14 and BDI-Y scores at both 14 and 17 years of age. However, after adjusting for energy(kJ) intake and other lifestyle confounders, the relationships were no longer significant. Conclusions Associations previously reported between n3 PUFA and depressive symptoms may be due to collinearity with other dietary and lifestyle factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)582-588
JournalDepression and Anxiety
Volume28
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Keywords

  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • depression
  • adolescent
  • Raine Study

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