Adequacy of the dietary intake of depressed individuals.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to assess the dietary intake of individuals experiencing a current episode of major depression.


METHODS
Twenty-two females and 7 males experiencing moderate to severe depression completed 3-day food records. These food records were analyzed to obtain an estimate of the nutrient intake of male and female individuals experiencing a depressive episode and this nutrient intake was compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA).


RESULTS
Females, as a group, consumed a diet that provided 100% of the RDA whereas the diet of males was deficient in energy and 4 of 16 nutrients examined. Considerable variation existed in the dietary intake of both males and females with some individuals in both groups consuming a diet containing less than the RDA in one or more nutrients due to a decrease in food intake.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial percentage of the depressed sample consumed less than the RDA of one or more nutrients. This seems to be due to an inadequate food intake rather than a deficient diet.
Christensen
L
L
Texas A&M University.
Somers
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D018673:Nutrition Policy
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats