Introduction:

Changes in diet patterns have been taking place in developing countries as part of the nutritional transition and may affect the way some food groups are consumed and therefore mental health, especially in elderly. The objective was to evaluate whether there is an association between the consumption of different food groups (dairy, eggs and beans, meat, poultry or fish, and fruits or vegetables) and the presence of depressive symptoms in older adults living in poverty and extreme poverty in Peru.

Methodology:

Secondary analysis of a population-based study (Health and Well-being Survey of the Elderly, Peru) conducted in 2012. The outcome variable was the presence of depressive symptoms, whereas the exposure was the consumption of some food groups: dairy products; eggs and beans; meat, poultry or fish; and fruits or vegetables. Association was evaluated using Poisson regression models, reporting prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results:

Overall, 4,214 records were analyzed, mean age of 71.2 (SD: 4.4) years, 54.2% male, and 61.4% were from rural areas. A total of 1,621 (38.6%; 95%CI: 37.1%-40.1%) elderly presented depressive symptoms. In multivariable model, the frequency of depressive symptoms was 41% higher (95%CI: 30%-54%) among those who reported not consuming eggs and beans at least once a week. Similarly, the association was found for those who reported not consuming meat, poultry or fish at least three times a week (18%; 95%CI: 9%-28%) and those who did not consume fruits and/or vegetables at least twice a day (15%; 95%CI: 6%-24%).

Conclusions:

This study showed that the consumption of fruits or vegetables; meat, poultry or fish; and eggs and beans, are inversely related to the presence of depressive symptoms among elderly.

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