Relationship between food group-specific intake and depression among local government employees in Japan

Abstract Background: We aimed to examine the relationship between food group-specific intake and depression among workers in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 568 workers in 2020, 503 workers responded, and 423 workers were included in the analysis. Information on sex, age, body mass index, overtime hours, sleep duration, marital status, employment position, exercise habits, smoking status, incidence of depression, and intake of energy, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, alcohol, and specific food groups were collected. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess the presence and severity of depression. Food group-specific intake was adjusted for energy intake using the residual method and classified into low, moderate, and high by sex. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds ratios (ORs) and trends according to sex, with the presence/absence of depression as the dependent variable and food group-specific intake as the independent variable. Results: Men in the eggs low-intake and dairy moderate-intake groups, and women in the other vegetables low- and moderate-intake, total vegetables low-intake, eggs moderate-intake, and sweets moderate-intake groups had significantly higher adjusted ORs (aORs) for depression. The aOR for depression was significantly higher in men and women with low intake of eggs, and in women alone with low intake of other vegetables and total vegetables. Another dose-response relationship was observed, with a significantly lower aOR for depression in men with low intake of sweets. Conclusion: The intake of eggs and sweets in men and eggs and vegetables in women may be related to depression.