Depression the Hidden Iceberg: Role of Nutrition & Dietary Intake

Abstract

Mental health is a neglected component of health care and dietary habits are a major facet of people's lifestyles that controls health, morbidity, and mortality. Role of nutrition in development of mental health problems is still under recognized, yet evidence relating diet and mental health is growing fast, as well as its impact on short and long-term mental health. Food may play an important causal role in the development, management and prevention of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. Depression is a disturbance in mood, attention, and body evident as varying degrees of sadness, frustration, loneliness, hopelessness, self-doubt and remorse. Etiology of antenatal depression is multi-factorial and deeply embedded in socio cultural factors. Depression is a major contributor to the global burden of disease effecting 350 million people yearly (WHO, 2008). It's an international public health concern. A healthy diet may reduce the risk of severe depression; whereas depression can lead to increase or decrease in dietary intake. Both quality and quantity of dietary intake is influenced by stress. Proper nutrition may prove to be an affordable investment for people diagnosed with depression to mitigate their symptoms and improve overall health. Screening and treatment of stress and depression and helping individuals adopt healthy dietary habits can help reduce both; morbidity and mortality and health care costs. Keywords - depression, nutrients, dietary intake, recommendations.