Latest news with #BMJNutrition
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent warning as popular weight-loss diet could leave you DEPRESSED
A POPULAR diet among people looking to lose weight can trigger depression, warns new research. And men are particularly "vulnerable", according to the findings. 2 The study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health, shows following a low calorie diet is linked to a heightened risk of depressive symptoms. These findings stand in contrast to previous studies which claim low calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. The study looked at data from 28,525 American adults who had completed a questionnaire to find out the severity of depressive symptoms. Just under 8 per cent reported depressive symptoms, 29 per cent had a healthy weight, 33 per cent were overweight, and 38 per cent were clinically obese. The majority of the group (87 per cent) said they weren't on a specific diet, while 2,206 were restricting calories. Researchers found low-calorie diets were more common among obese patients and those who were overweight. Questionnaire scores for depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances, were higher among those restricting calories compared to those who reported not being on a diet at all. And the scores were also higher among overweight people following low-calorie diets. Study author Dr Venkat Bhat, of the University of Toronto, Canada, said: "These scores also varied by sex. "A nutrient-restrictive diet was associated with higher cognitive-affective symptom scores in men than in women not on a diet, while all three types of diet were associated with higher somatic symptom scores in men. "And people living with obesity following an established dietary pattern had higher cognitive-affective and somatic symptom scores than those of a healthy weight not on a diet." Dr Bhat says the findings contradict those of previously published studies suggesting that low calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. He said: "This discrepancy may arise because prior studies were primarily randomised controlled trials where participants adhered to carefully designed diets ensuring balanced nutrient intake. "In contrast, real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies - particularly in protein, essential vitamins/minerals - and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology including cognitive-affective symptoms." Dr Bhat says another possible explanation might be a failure to lose weight or "weight cycling" - losing weight and then putting it back on. He said a possible explanation for the observed gender discrepancies may be down to glucose and the fatty acid omega-3 which are critical for brain health. 2 Dr Bhat added: "Diets low in carbohydrates - glucose - or fats, omega-3s, may theoretically worsen brain function and exacerbate cognitive-affective symptoms, especially in men with greater nutritional needs." Professor Sumantra Ray, Chief Scientist and Executive Director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, welcomed the findings: He said: "This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms." "But the effect sizes are small, with further statistical limitations limiting the generalisability of the findings." Prof Ray added: "Further well designed studies that accurately capture dietary intake and minimise the impact of chance and confounding are needed to continue this important line of inquiry." Other tips for weight loss TO effectively lose weight, focus on a combination of lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep. Diet Focus on whole, unprocessed foods: Prioritise fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources. Increase fibre intake: Fibre helps you feel full and can aid in digestion. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your metabolism and overall health. Practice mindful eating: Pay attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues to avoid overeating. Exercise Engage in regular physical activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Incorporate strength training: Building muscle mass can help increase your metabolism and burn more calories. Stress management Practice relaxation techniques: Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and its impact on your body. Sleep Prioritise adequate sleep: Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night, as sleep deprivation can impact your metabolism and appetite.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Common diet Brits choose to lose weight could lead to depression, study finds
Yo-yo dieting which is used by many Brits to lose weight could lead to depression, a study has found. The diet involves managing calories to shed the pounds before putting the weight back on again. And researchers have discovered questionnaire scores for depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances, were higher among those restricting calories using such diets, compared to those who reported not being on one at all. The scores were also higher among overweight people following low-calorie diets. The effects of calorie restriction on mood were more pronounced in men and overweight people, the study said. The findings contrast previous reports which claim low-calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. However, researchers argued prior trials included tailored and balanced diet programmes that may not be the same as what people realistically follow in everyday life. The team said a focus on 'idealised diets' can 'overlook the diversity of dietary patterns'. For the study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, researchers in Canada used data from the 28,525 people who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had completed a health questionnaire relating to depressive symptoms, which gave them a score based on severity. A little under 8 per cent had reported depressive symptoms, while 33 per cent were overweight and 38 per cent were obese. The majority of the group (87 per cent) said they were not on a specific diet, while 2,206 (7.7 per cent) were restricting calories. Some 859 (3 per cent) were on a 'nutrient-restrictive' diet, low in fat, sugar, salt, fibre or carbohydrate, and 631 (2.2 per cent) were on diets tailored for the likes of diabetes. Researchers found low-calorie diets were more common among obese patients and those who were overweight. They said: 'Numerous studies have consistently focussed on "healthy" versus "unhealthy" diets. 'They have shown that "healthy" diets rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish have been linked to a lower risk of depression. 'In contrast, an "unhealthy" diet dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. 'Therefore, individuals must adopt a perfectly healthy dietary pattern to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. This dichotomy fails to capture the complexity of real-world eating habits.' Restricting calories can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins and minerals, researchers suggest, which puts the body under stress. They added: 'In contrast, real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology including cognitive-affective symptoms.' Researchers stressed the study has a number of limitations, but gives an insight to how diets recommended by healthcare professionals should be considered for risk factors for depression, especially in men and obese patients. Professor Sumantra Ray, chief scientist at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, added: 'This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms. 'But the effect sizes are small, with further statistical limitations limiting the generalisability of the findings.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Calorie-cutting diets could be tied to worsening depression, study suggests
Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health. Cutting your calories down too far could be linked with worse depression symptoms, new research suggests. A study published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looked at data from more than 28,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which surveyed participants on their diet quality and depressive symptoms. People who followed a calorie-restrictive diet, particularly men and people with a body mass index considered overweight, were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, according to the data. Quality of diet also mattered. People who reported a diet with more ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets were more likely to report higher levels of depression and those who ate more of a Mediterranean-style diet generally had lower risk of depression, the study showed. 'The findings suggest caution with overly restrictive or unbalanced diets, particularly for people already experiencing weight-related stress or challenges,' said lead study author Dr. Venkat Bhat, psychiatrist, clinician-researcher and director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto. Instead, Bhat suggests 'opting for balanced, sustainable dietary changes that meet nutritional needs and consider individual psychological impacts may help minimize potential negative effects on mood.' A different finding from previous studies There are some limitations to consider when looking at the results. The design of the study can only show associations, not definitively say that calorie restriction causes an increase in depression symptoms, Bhat said. In addition, the study surveyed people on their dietary patterns, which leaves room for error, said Dr. Kary Woodruff, associate professor (lecturer) and director of the nutrition and integrated physiology department's coordinated master's program at the University of Utah. She was not involved in the research. 'I could think I am on a calorie-restricted diet when in fact I may be in a calorie surplus — there's no way to verify participant's calorie-restriction status,' Woodruff said. The study is large and controlled for other factors that could drive the associations found, but its findings contrast with those of previous studies around the topic of calorie restriction and depression, Bhat said. Other studies have found that calorie-restricted diets reduce depressive symptoms, said Dr. Johanna Keeler, postdoctoral researcher at King's College London. Keeler was not involved in the study. One difference is that previous research, including a 2023 paper that Keeler coauthored, studied restrictive diets supervised by medical professional. 'Therefore, these findings might reflect that unsupervised dieting, which can produce nutritional deficiencies, might not be good for depressive symptoms,' Keeler said. More research and randomized control trials may be needed to fully understand how dieting impacts mental health, Bhat said. When restriction might impact depression There are several reasons why the calorie restriction seen in the most recent study might be associated with a negative mental health impact. Previous studies, including Keeler's, found that low-calorie diets that resulted in weight loss for people classified as overweight or obese was associated with reduced depression symptoms. That could be because of physiological changes, improved physical mobility or increased positive social feedback, Keeler said. 'Embarking on a calorie restricted diet without experiencing weight loss, or experiencing 'weight cycling' might not produce improvements in depression, and on top of that may be frustrating or disheartening to individuals, causing an increase in depression,' Keeler said in an email. When calories are too restricted or not enough nutrients are being provided by a diet, there could be an interruption in physical processes that could lead to fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating, Keeler added. Extreme dieting patterns also are linked to increased anxiety and a higher risk for an eating disorder, Woodruff said. 'The key is to examine what — and how much — is being restricted. Focusing on following a healthful eating pattern that supports mild to moderate caloric restriction may improve depressive symptoms and mood, whereas extreme behaviors can exacerbate mental, emotional, and physical health,' she said via email. Finding balance How a person responds to a diet varies among individuals, and the results of the study highlight the need for personalized dietary recommendations and consideration of psychological factors in addition to physical health, Bhat said. With so much contrasting advice when it comes to nutrition and what's the best approach for your own nutrition, Keeler recommends input from a medical professional before starting any weight loss efforts. Even if you want to lose weight, focusing too much on heavy calorie restriction might not be the most sustainable option, said Natalie Mokari, a dietitian in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead, she recommends small changes to move toward a more balanced lifestyle. Start by looking at your meals, Mokari said. Does your plate have a protein, carbohydrate, healthy fat, and some fiber and nutrients through fruits and vegetables? Try prioritizing adding in the nutrition you need first, then see whether there are elements you don't need anymore, she said. Perhaps if you eat from all of your food groups and slow your meals down, you will realize you don't need to grab a second helping or you won't feel the same urgency to grab a sweet treat after, Mokari said. 'Regardless of weight loss, improving dietary quality can significantly improve overall health and quality of life,' Woodruff said. 'Consider working with a registered dietitian to understand what a healthful dietary pattern can look like for you.'
CNN
7 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Calorie-cutting diets could be tied to worsening depression, study suggests
Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health. Cutting your calories down too far could be linked with worse depression symptoms, new research suggests. A study published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looked at data from more than 28,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which surveyed participants on their diet quality and depressive symptoms. People who followed a calorie-restrictive diet, particularly men and people with a body mass index considered overweight, were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, according to the data. Quality of diet also mattered. People who reported a diet with more ultraprocessed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets were more likely to report higher levels of depression and those who ate more of a Mediterranean-style diet generally had lower risk of depression, the study showed. 'The findings suggest caution with overly restrictive or unbalanced diets, particularly for people already experiencing weight-related stress or challenges,' said lead study author Dr. Venkat Bhat, psychiatrist, clinician-researcher and director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto. Instead, Bhat suggests 'opting for balanced, sustainable dietary changes that meet nutritional needs and consider individual psychological impacts may help minimize potential negative effects on mood.' There are some limitations to consider when looking at the results. The design of the study can only show associations, not definitively say that calorie restriction causes an increase in depression symptoms, Bhat said. In addition, the study surveyed people on their dietary patterns, which leaves room for error, said Dr. Kary Woodruff, associate professor (lecturer) and director of the nutrition and integrated physiology department's coordinated master's program at the University of Utah. She was not involved in the research. 'I could think I am on a calorie-restricted diet when in fact I may be in a calorie surplus — there's no way to verify participant's calorie-restriction status,' Woodruff said. The study is large and controlled for other factors that could drive the associations found, but its findings contrast with those of previous studies around the topic of calorie restriction and depression, Bhat said. Other studies have found that calorie-restricted diets reduce depressive symptoms, said Dr. Johanna Keeler, postdoctoral researcher at King's College London. Keeler was not involved in the study. One difference is that previous research, including a 2023 paper that Keeler coauthored, studied restrictive diets supervised by medical professional. 'Therefore, these findings might reflect that unsupervised dieting, which can produce nutritional deficiencies, might not be good for depressive symptoms,' Keeler said. More research and randomized control trials may be needed to fully understand how dieting impacts mental health, Bhat said. There are several reasons why the calorie restriction seen in the most recent study might be associated with a negative mental health impact. Previous studies, including Keeler's, found that low-calorie diets that resulted in weight loss for people classified as overweight or obese was associated with reduced depression symptoms. That could be because of physiological changes, improved physical mobility or increased positive social feedback, Keeler said. 'Embarking on a calorie restricted diet without experiencing weight loss, or experiencing 'weight cycling' might not produce improvements in depression, and on top of that may be frustrating or disheartening to individuals, causing an increase in depression,' Keeler said in an email. When calories are too restricted or not enough nutrients are being provided by a diet, there could be an interruption in physical processes that could lead to fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating, Keeler added. Extreme dieting patterns also are linked to increased anxiety and a higher risk for an eating disorder, Woodruff said. 'The key is to examine what — and how much — is being restricted. Focusing on following a healthful eating pattern that supports mild to moderate caloric restriction may improve depressive symptoms and mood, whereas extreme behaviors can exacerbate mental, emotional, and physical health,' she said via email. How a person responds to a diet varies among individuals, and the results of the study highlight the need for personalized dietary recommendations and consideration of psychological factors in addition to physical health, Bhat said. With so much contrasting advice when it comes to nutrition and what's the best approach for your own nutrition, Keeler recommends input from a medical professional before starting any weight loss efforts. Even if you want to lose weight, focusing too much on heavy calorie restriction might not be the most sustainable option, said Natalie Mokari, a dietitian in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead, she recommends small changes to move toward a more balanced lifestyle. Start by looking at your meals, Mokari said. Does your plate have a protein, carbohydrate, healthy fat, and some fiber and nutrients through fruits and vegetables? Try prioritizing adding in the nutrition you need first, then see whether there are elements you don't need anymore, she said. Perhaps if you eat from all of your food groups and slow your meals down, you will realize you don't need to grab a second helping or you won't feel the same urgency to grab a sweet treat after, Mokari said. 'Regardless of weight loss, improving dietary quality can significantly improve overall health and quality of life,' Woodruff said. 'Consider working with a registered dietitian to understand what a healthful dietary pattern can look like for you.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
CNN
7 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Calorie-cutting diets could be tied to worsening depression, study suggests
Food & health Mental healthFacebookTweetLink Follow Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health. Cutting your calories down too far could be linked with worse depression symptoms, new research suggests. A study published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looked at data from more than 28,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which surveyed participants on their diet quality and depressive symptoms. People who followed a calorie-restrictive diet, particularly men and people with a body mass index considered overweight, were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, according to the data. Quality of diet also mattered. People who reported a diet with more ultraprocessed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets were more likely to report higher levels of depression and those who ate more of a Mediterranean-style diet generally had lower risk of depression, the study showed. 'The findings suggest caution with overly restrictive or unbalanced diets, particularly for people already experiencing weight-related stress or challenges,' said lead study author Dr. Venkat Bhat, psychiatrist, clinician-researcher and director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto. Instead, Bhat suggests 'opting for balanced, sustainable dietary changes that meet nutritional needs and consider individual psychological impacts may help minimize potential negative effects on mood.' There are some limitations to consider when looking at the results. The design of the study can only show associations, not definitively say that calorie restriction causes an increase in depression symptoms, Bhat said. In addition, the study surveyed people on their dietary patterns, which leaves room for error, said Dr. Kary Woodruff, associate professor (lecturer) and director of the nutrition and integrated physiology department's coordinated master's program at the University of Utah. She was not involved in the research. 'I could think I am on a calorie-restricted diet when in fact I may be in a calorie surplus — there's no way to verify participant's calorie-restriction status,' Woodruff said. The study is large and controlled for other factors that could drive the associations found, but its findings contrast with those of previous studies around the topic of calorie restriction and depression, Bhat said. Other studies have found that calorie-restricted diets reduce depressive symptoms, said Dr. Johanna Keeler, postdoctoral researcher at King's College London. Keeler was not involved in the study. One difference is that previous research, including a 2023 paper that Keeler coauthored, studied restrictive diets supervised by medical professional. 'Therefore, these findings might reflect that unsupervised dieting, which can produce nutritional deficiencies, might not be good for depressive symptoms,' Keeler said. More research and randomized control trials may be needed to fully understand how dieting impacts mental health, Bhat said. There are several reasons why the calorie restriction seen in the most recent study might be associated with a negative mental health impact. Previous studies, including Keeler's, found that low-calorie diets that resulted in weight loss for people classified as overweight or obese was associated with reduced depression symptoms. That could be because of physiological changes, improved physical mobility or increased positive social feedback, Keeler said. 'Embarking on a calorie restricted diet without experiencing weight loss, or experiencing 'weight cycling' might not produce improvements in depression, and on top of that may be frustrating or disheartening to individuals, causing an increase in depression,' Keeler said in an email. When calories are too restricted or not enough nutrients are being provided by a diet, there could be an interruption in physical processes that could lead to fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating, Keeler added. Extreme dieting patterns also are linked to increased anxiety and a higher risk for an eating disorder, Woodruff said. 'The key is to examine what — and how much — is being restricted. Focusing on following a healthful eating pattern that supports mild to moderate caloric restriction may improve depressive symptoms and mood, whereas extreme behaviors can exacerbate mental, emotional, and physical health,' she said via email. How a person responds to a diet varies among individuals, and the results of the study highlight the need for personalized dietary recommendations and consideration of psychological factors in addition to physical health, Bhat said. With so much contrasting advice when it comes to nutrition and what's the best approach for your own nutrition, Keeler recommends input from a medical professional before starting any weight loss efforts. Even if you want to lose weight, focusing too much on heavy calorie restriction might not be the most sustainable option, said Natalie Mokari, a dietitian in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead, she recommends small changes to move toward a more balanced lifestyle. Start by looking at your meals, Mokari said. Does your plate have a protein, carbohydrate, healthy fat, and some fiber and nutrients through fruits and vegetables? Try prioritizing adding in the nutrition you need first, then see whether there are elements you don't need anymore, she said. Perhaps if you eat from all of your food groups and slow your meals down, you will realize you don't need to grab a second helping or you won't feel the same urgency to grab a sweet treat after, Mokari said. 'Regardless of weight loss, improving dietary quality can significantly improve overall health and quality of life,' Woodruff said. 'Consider working with a registered dietitian to understand what a healthful dietary pattern can look like for you.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
