Adherence to the Healthy Eating Index-۲۰۱۵ and Its Association with Depression Score in A Sample of Iranian Adolescent Girls

Background: Depression in adolescents is one of the major public health concerns that can affect educational attainment and social relationships and impose a high economic burden on society. Previous studies have provided limited information on the relationship between a healthy diet and depression in adolescents. The present study aimed to investigate the association of Healthy Eating Index-۲۰۱۵ (HEI-۲۰۱۵) with depression scores among adolescent girls. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۷۳۴ adolescent girls aged ۱۲-۱۸ years. Data on dietary intakes were collected using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and diet quality was assessed based on HEI-۲۰۱۵. The Iranian validated version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to evaluate depression. To explore the association between HEI-۲۰۱۵ and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models. Results: The prevalence of a high depression score in the study population was ۳۳.۸%.  After controlling for potential confounders, girls with the highest adherence to HEI-۲۰۱۵ compared to those with the lowest adherence had a ۳۷% lower prevalence of depression (OR: ۰.۶۳; ۹۵% CI ۰.۴۰ to ۱.۰۰, Ptrend=۰.۰۳). This finding remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables (age, energy intakes, physical activity, and BMI percentile). Conclusions: Greater adherence to HEI-۲۰۱۵ was associated with lower odds of depression in female adolescents. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results and clarify whether a causal relationship exists.

Keywords:

Depression , Healthy eating index , HEI-۲۰۱۵ , Diet quality , Adolescent