Are mealtime consumption and behaviors associated with depressive symptoms in students aged 6 to 18?

Background

Mental health in children and adolescents is a major public health problem, associated with several adverse health outcomes across the lifespan.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between dietary intake and meal-related behaviors and depressive symptoms in students from the Midwest region of Brazil.

Methods

This cross-sectional epidemiological study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (No. 6,436,246) and included 741 Brazilian students aged 6–18 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Children’s Depression Inventory, and dietary intake and meal-related behaviors were investigated using questions from the National School Health Survey. Consumption variables were categorized into irregular consumption (0–4 days per week) and regular consumption (≥5 days per week). The analysis was conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance, estimating adjusted prevalence ratios (RPadj).

Results

Of the participants, 50.7% were male, 35.1% were aged 14 years or older, and 92.0% attended public schools. It was observed that not having breakfast (RPadj=1.87; 95% CI: 1.27–2.77), not eating meals with parents or guardians (RPadj=2.38; 95% CI: 1.55–3.66), irregular consumption of beans (RPadj=1.43; 95% CI: 1.02–2.01) and vegetables (RPadj=1.68; 95% CI: 1.20–2.37), as well as regular consumption of soft drinks (RPadj=1.90; 95% CI: 1.38–2.63), were associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

These findings contribute to the understanding of the relationship between food consumption and meal-related behaviors and mental health, reinforcing the need to consider broad and comprehensive approaches in the health care of children and adolescents. The findings support the promotion of healthy eating practices as a component of intersectoral strategies aimed at preventing depressive symptoms in this population.

Key messages

• Unhealthy eating habits and meal patterns are associated with higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents.

• Promoting healthy eating and family meals may help prevent depressive symptoms, supporting intersectoral strategies in child and adolescent health.