A U-shape trend between total and red meat consumption and depressive symptomatology in apparently healthy women: highlights from the ATTICA prospective (2002–2012) study

Abstract

Abstract Background/Introduction Increasing amount of evidence currently suggests that in the context of vegetarianism, where meat is completely excluded from daily diet, the risk to develop depression-related symptoms is impressively high. Purpose The aim of the present work was to evaluate the association of meat consumption with prevalent depressive symptomatology in apparently healthy individuals. Methods ATTICA study was conducted during 2001–2012 including n=1,514 men and n=1,528 women (aged >18 years old) from the greater of our region in Greece. At baseline, depressive symptomatology through Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (range 20–80) and meat consumption (total meat, red, white and processed meat) through validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were assessed. Follow-up (2011–2012) was achieved in n=2,020 participants (n=317 cases); n=845 participants with complete psychological metrics were used for the primary analysis. Results Ranking from 1st to 3rd total meat consumption (low to high) tertiles, participants assigned in 2nd tertile had the lowest depressive-symptomatology scoring (p<0.001). This trend was retained in multi-adjusted logistic regression analysis; participants reporting moderate total and red meat consumption had ∼20% lower likelihood to be depressed (i.e. Zung scale<45) compared with their 1st tertile counterparts (Odds Ratio (OR)total meat 0.82, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) (0.60, 0.97) and ORred meat 0.79 95% CI (0.45, 0.96)). Non-linear associations were revealed; 2–3 serving/week total meat and 1–2 servings/week red meat presented the lowest odds of depressive symptomatology (all ps<0.05). All aforementioned associations were more evident in women (all ps for sex-related interaction<0.05). Conclusions The present findings generate the hypothesis that moderate total meat consumption and impressively, red meat may be more beneficial to prevent depressed mood and probably in turn hard CVD endpoints. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a research grant from Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society. The ATTICA study is supported by research grants from the Hellenic Cardiology Society [HCS2002] and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society [HAS2003].