ABSTRACT
Objectives
This study investigates the effect of dietary fiber on the prevention of depressive symptoms.
Methods
In a cohort of 88,826 Korean adults (57,284 men and 31,542 women), we longitudinally evaluated the risk of depressive symptoms according to quartiles of dietary fiber intake for 5.8 years of follow-up. A food frequency questionnaire was used in evaluating dietary fiber intake. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, in which CES-D ≥ 16 was defined as depressive symptoms. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for depressive symptoms (adjusted HR [95% CI]). Subgroup analysis was performed for gender and BMI (≥25 or <25).
Result
In men, the risk of depressive symptoms significantly decreased with the increase of dietary fiber (quartile 1: reference, quartile 2: 0.93 [0.87–0.99], quartile 3: 0.91 [0.85–0.98] and quartile 4: 0.84 [0.77–0.92]). This association was more prominently observed in men with BMI ≥ 25 (quartile 1: reference, quartile 2: 0.95 [0.86–1.06], quartile 3: 0.88 [0.79–0.99] and quartile 4: 0.84 [0.73–0.97]). Women did not show a significant association between quartile groups of dietary fiber intake and the risk of depressive symptoms across subgroup analysis for BMI.
Conclusion
High intake of dietary fiber is potentially effective in reducing depressive symptoms in Korean men. The protective effect of dietary fiber on depressive symptoms may vary by gender and obesity.
Acknowledgements
This study was based on medical data collected and arranged by the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study (KSCS). Therefore, this study could be done under the labor of all staff working in KSCS and Total Healthcare Center, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. Additionally, we especially appreciate Prof. Yoosoo Chang in the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort team and Prof. Mi Kyung Kim in the Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study. Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study. Data are available with the permission of the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study team.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Sung Keun Park
Sung Keun Park, a Clinical Professor at Kanbuk Samsung Hospital.
Chang-Mo Oh
Chang-Mo Oh, Associate Professor at Kyung Hee University.
Jae-Hong Ryoo
Jae-Hong Ryoo, Professor at Kyung Hee University.
Ju Young Jung
Ju Young Jung, a Clinical Professor and epidemiologist at Kanbuk Samsung Hospital.