Association of Diet Quality with Depression in Cuban‐Americans with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Low diet quality and depression are independently associated with poor glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, the relationship between them is unclear. The study was to determine the association between diet quality and symptoms of depression among Cuban‐Americans with T2D living in South Florida. Subjects (n=186) were recruited from randomly selected mailing list. Diet quality was determined using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Statistical analyses included linear and logistic regressions. Symptoms of depression was the dependent variable and independent variables included HEI, gender, age, marital status, BMI, education level, HbA1c, employment status and depression medication. Prevalence of depression as defined by a BDI score ≥16 was 21.5%. Better diet quality was associated with less symptoms of depression. For instance, controlling for covariates a one unit increase in HEI score, decreases the BDI score in 0.178 units (R2=0.131, p=0.003). Similarly, a one unit increase in HEI score decreased the odds ratio point estimate of having symptoms of depression (BDI ≥ 16) by a factor of 0.97 (p=0.021). These results suggest that T2D individuals with symptoms of depression should receive aggressive nutrition counseling. Funding for this research was provided through an NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant.