Associations of dietary trans fatty acid intake with depressive symptoms in midlife women

J Affect Disord. 2020 Jan 1:260:194-199. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.008. Epub 2019 Sep 2.

Abstract

Background: To study the association of trans fatty acid intake from diet with depressive symptoms in midlife women.

Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were retrieved from baseline assessment of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Linear regression, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to examine the association trans fatty acid intake with depressive symptoms.

Results: A total of 3095 women aged 42-52 years were included in the present study. Trans fatty acid intake was positively associated with CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression) scores in unadjusted, age-, race/ethnicity-, total family income- and education-adjusted and fully adjusted linear regression model. The fully adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of trans fatty acid intake were 0.146 (0.047-0.246) for CES-D score. Trans fatty acid intake was positively associated with depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥16) in each logistic regression model. The fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI of depressive symptoms were 1.410 (1.019-1.951) in quartile 4 compared with quartile 1 for trans fatty acid intake. Sensitivity analyses showed that the association between trans fatty acid and depressive symptoms were not affected by use of antidepressant. Stratified analysis showed that, in fully adjusted model, the trans fatty acid intake was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in early perimenopausal women.

Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study, limiting causal inferences.

Conclusion: Trans fatty acid may be positively associated with depressive symptoms in premenopausal women, but not in early perimenopausal women.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Depressive symptoms; Perimenopausal; Premenopausal; Trans fatty acid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / chemically induced*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Premenopause / psychology*
  • Trans Fatty Acids / adverse effects*
  • Women's Health

Substances

  • Trans Fatty Acids