Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents
Corresponding Author
Wendy H. Oddy Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, PO Box 855 West Perth, Western Australia 6872, AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorSiobhan Hickling Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorMichael A. Smith Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorTherese A. O'Sullivan Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorMonique Robinson Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorNicholas H. de Klerk Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLawrence J. Beilin M.D.
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
Search for more papers by this authorTrevor A. Mori Ph.D.
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJulie Syrette B.Sc.
CSIRO Food and Nutritonal Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia
Search for more papers by this authorStephen R. Zubrick Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSven R. Silburn M.Sc. (Clin Psych)
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Wendy H. Oddy Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, PO Box 855 West Perth, Western Australia 6872, AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorSiobhan Hickling Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorMichael A. Smith Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorTherese A. O'Sullivan Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorMonique Robinson Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorNicholas H. de Klerk Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLawrence J. Beilin M.D.
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
Search for more papers by this authorTrevor A. Mori Ph.D.
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJulie Syrette B.Sc.
CSIRO Food and Nutritonal Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia
Search for more papers by this authorStephen R. Zubrick Ph.D.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSven R. Silburn M.Sc. (Clin Psych)
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background: Previous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression. However, there is limited evidence regarding the influence of dietary n-3 PUFA intake on mood in adolescents drawn from population studies. Objective: In the present investigation, we examined the relationship between dietary n-3 PUFA intake on depression symptomatology in a large prospective pregnancy cohort followed for 17 years. Methods: Adolescents enrolled in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess dietary fatty acid intake, as well as other dietary factors at age 14 and a fasting blood sample was taken. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) at age 14 (N = 1,407) and at age 17 (N = 995). Results: An inverse relationship was observed between intake of both saturated fat and of n-3 PUFA at age 14 and BDI-Y scores at both 14 and 17 years of age. However, after adjusting for energy (kJ) intake and other lifestyle confounders, the relationships were no longer significant. Conclusions: Associations previously reported between n3 PUFA and depressive symptoms may be due to collinearity with other dietary and lifestyle factors. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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