title: The association between diet quality and mental health during the perinatal period. A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While maternal nutrition during pregnancy is known to play a critical role in the health of both mother and offspring, the magnitude of this association has only recently been realized. Novel, epigenetic data suggest that maternal dietary intake has permanent phenotypic consequences for offspring, highlighting the potency of antenatal diet. To date, the relationship between poor antenatal diet and maternal mental health specifically, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review evidence that has examined associations between antenatal diet quality and the experience of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms during the perinatal period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search for peer-reviewed papers was conducted using Medline Complete, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Academic Search Premiere and Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine studies (cohort = 4, cross-sectional = 5) published between 2005 and 2013 were eligible for inclusion in this review. A synthesis of findings revealed positive associations between poor quality and unhealthy diets and antenatal depressive and stress symptoms. Healthy diets were inversely associated with antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms. Postnatal depressive symptoms demonstrated inconsistent results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the paucity of research examining diet quality and mental health in women during the perinatal period, further sufficiently powered studies are urgently required to examine this association.
authors: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Baskin
authors: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
authors: Briony
authors: B
authors: Hill
authors: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, PO Box 281, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Centre, Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Vic. 3050, Australia; Black Dog Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hospital Road, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors: Felice N
authors: FN
authors: Jacka
authors: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, PO Box 281, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Prahran, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors: Adrienne
authors: A
authors: O'Neil
authors: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia. Electronic address: helen.skouteris@deakin.edu.au.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Skouteris
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Maternal diet; Perinatal; Stress; Systematic review