Diet composition and energy intake in obese subjects with depression

Objective
Depression is frequently associated with obesity; however, it is unknown whether obesity is its cause or consequence. Depression per se may change the diet composition and increase the consumption of simple carbohydrates. The aim of the present study was to assess the energy intake and diet composition in obese subjects with various intensification of depression symptoms.

Material and methods
Forty-five obese subjects starting a 3-month complex group weight loss program were enrolled. The subjects were asked to fill in the standard 3-day nutritional questionnaire. Depression levels were scored based on the full 21-item version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Studied subjects were allocated to subgroups: without depression symptoms (0-9 pts), with mild depression symptoms (10-15 pts) or severe depression symptoms (16 pts or more).

Results
The mean energy consumption was similar in subjects with a severe depression (n = 16; 1822 ±1285 kcal/day) and mild depression level (n = 8; 1802 ±378 kcal/day) and in those without depression symptoms (n = 21; 2017 ±846 kcal/day). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in diet composition between study groups (carbohydrates: 44.9 ±10.8%, 40.3 ±9.6% and 42.9 ±9.5%; proteins: 19.6 ±3.0%, 16.1 ±2.2% and 19.5 ±4.5%; fat: 35.5 ±10.5%, 43.6 ±10.1% and 37.6 ±8.6%, respectively). In addition, we observed a similar frequency and levels of depression in subgroups with lower and higher consumption of carbohydrates and fat.

Conclusions
It seems that the depression level does not change the energy consumption and diet composition in obese subjects.