Wen-Chi Wu1, Dih-Lin Luh2, Ching-I Lin3, Yi-Chen Chiang2, Chao-Chia Hung4, Sabrina Wang5, Chi-Chen Wu6, Baai-Shyun Hurng2, Yi-Han Chang7, Lee-Lan Yen6, Hsing-Yi Chang6. 1. 1Department of Health Healing and Health Marketing,Kainan University,Luzhu Shiang,Taoyuan,Taiwan. 2. 2Department of Public Health,Chung Shang Medical University,Taichung,Taiwan. 3. 4Department of Nutrition and Health Science,Kainan University,Luzhu Shiang,Taoyuan,Taiwan. 4. 5Department of Nursing,College of Wellbeing Science and Technology,HsinChu,Taiwan. 5. 6Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology,National Yang-Ming University,Taipei,Taiwan. 6. 7Institute of Population Health Sciences,National Health Research Institutes,No. 35 Keyan Road,Zhunan,Miaoli County 350,Taiwan. 7. 9Institute of Health Policy and Management,National Taiwan University, Taipei,Taiwan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence. DESIGN: Unhealthy eating behaviours were measured by the frequencies of eating foods with excess salt, sugar or fat in the past week. Depressive symptoms in the past two weeks were measured using a seven-item scale. Hierarchical linear growth models were used to analyse longitudinal associations between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms. Time-fixed variables (sex, parents' education level and household monthly income) and time-varying variables (parents' marital status, family activities, body weight, vegetable or fruit consumption, exercising and smoking) were controlled for. SETTING: The Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study, which commenced in 2001 and has annual follow-up. SUBJECTS: Students (n 2630) followed from 2nd grade (8 years old in 2002) to 11th grade. RESULTS: The frequency of unhealthy eating behaviours in the previous year and the difference between the frequency in the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initiation and growth rate of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in the previous year and the difference in depressive symptoms between the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initial state and growth rate of unhealthy eating behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviours. This relationship should be considered when developing programmes targeting depressive symptoms and unhealthy diet in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence. DESIGN: Unhealthy eating behaviours were measured by the frequencies of eating foods with excess salt, sugar or fat in the past week. Depressive symptoms in the past two weeks were measured using a seven-item scale. Hierarchical linear growth models were used to analyse longitudinal associations between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms. Time-fixed variables (sex, parents' education level and household monthly income) and time-varying variables (parents' marital status, family activities, body weight, vegetable or fruit consumption, exercising and smoking) were controlled for. SETTING: The Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study, which commenced in 2001 and has annual follow-up. SUBJECTS: Students (n 2630) followed from 2nd grade (8 years old in 2002) to 11th grade. RESULTS: The frequency of unhealthy eating behaviours in the previous year and the difference between the frequency in the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initiation and growth rate of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in the previous year and the difference in depressive symptoms between the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initial state and growth rate of unhealthy eating behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviours. This relationship should be considered when developing programmes targeting depressive symptoms and unhealthy diet in children and adolescents.