Past Ian Scott Recipient Nominated in Top Ten
Felice Jacka was nominated by Medscape Psychiatry as having one of the top ten most important studies of 2010.
Western medicine is struggling to keep up with the catastrophic effects of the western diet. Substantial durable dietary changes at the individual level are exceedingly difficult. Food intake habits are influenced by a complex array of factors. Eating is perhaps the quintessential biopsychosocial behavior, and mounting data suggest its central importance in the overall health of our patients. Obesity has been identified as a priority area by the National Institute of Mental Health, and studies have demonstrated that more healthful eating patterns are associated with better cardiovascular health (1, 2). We currently lack data from randomized, controlled trials to demonstrate the efficacy of healthful eating on psychiatric disorders. However, a growing body of epidemiologic evidence supports a relationship between nutrition and mental health. Manifestations of nutritional deficiencies include psychiatric symptoms, and single nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and folate have received attention in epidemiologic and treatment studies targeting mental health (3, 4). Now, new evidence is emerging regarding specific food intake patterns and risk of depression.
In this issue, Jacka et al. (5) present data regarding the association of dietary patterns with depression and anxiety. Jacka and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study in Australia in which adult women were randomly selected. A comprehensive food frequency questionnaire was developed to reflect 12-month eating habits, and it was administered to each subject. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR was utilized to assess psychiatric disorders, with particular focus on major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was also used to quantify psychiatric symptoms. Covariates, such as socioeconomic status, education, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, and body mass index, were also recorded.
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Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - The Most Important Studies of 2010
This study cross-sectionally assessed the relationship between habitual diet and psychopathology, specifically depression and anxiety disorders, in a population-based sample of 1046 women (mean age: 51.5 years). The authors base the rationale on data showing that diet and nutrition influence several biological processes that underlie depression, which so far, however, have only been studied with regard to individual foods and nutrients.
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