title: [CONSUMPTION OF OMEGA- 3 FATTY ACIDS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM SONORA, MEXICO].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  recent studies suggest that low serum levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 are associated with a higher prevalence of depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate whether low consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of college students from the Northwest of Mexico, and to assess the potential effect modification by alcohol consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  we conducted a cross-sectional study in a sample of 706 college students (males and females) aged 18 to 24. The presence of depressive symptoms was identified with the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES-D), using a cutoff point of ≥ 24. The intake of omega-3 was obtained by a food frequency questionnaire validated for Mexican population. We estimated the weekly intake of alpha-linolenic fatty acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) derived from the diet in mg/g of food. The association between omega-3 from diet and the presence of depressive symptoms was assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  67% of the participants were females; 16.6% were classified as having depressive symptoms. A low intake of ALA and EPA + DHA was not associated with depressive symptoms before and after adjusting for confounders. Median levels of ALA (from nuts only) were significantly lower among those with depressive symptoms compared to those without these symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  in this population of Mexican college students, a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids was not associated with depressive symptoms. The potential association between nut consumption and depressive symptoms deserve more attention.
authors.affiliation: Estudiante de Doctorado en Ciencias de Enfermería, Universidad de Guanajuato. Departamento de Enfermería, Cuerpo Académico Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Sonora.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubi Vargas
authors.affiliation: Posgrado Integral de Ciencias Sociales, Cuerpo Académico Problemas Sociales, Universidad de Sonora.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: González Lomelí
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Efraín A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Terrazas Medina
authors.affiliation: Estudiante de Doctorado en Ciencias de Enfermería, Universidad de Guanajuato. Departamento de Enfermería, Cuerpo Académico Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Sonora.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Peralta Peña
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería y Obstetricia, Cuerpo Académico Procesos Biopsicosociales del Desarrollo, Universidad de Guanajuato.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Ma Lourdes
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jordán Jinez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería Clínica, Cuerpo Académico Estilo de Vida Saludable y Cronicidad, Universidad de Guanajuato. México.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Ma Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ruiz Paloalto
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca.. mariarubiv2002@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Lea A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cupul Uicab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D009754:Nuts; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3