Dietary practices and severity of depression. Comparative study among housewives and working women in Karachi

To compare levels of depression and locate difference in effects of dietary practices on depression severity in housewives and working women.

This comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Karachi and the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from January to April 2015. Convenient sampling method was used. Participants included educated women, comprising housewives and working women aged 35-45 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about participants' dietary habits. Depression levels were recorded through Patient Health Questionnaire-9 questionnaire. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis.

Of the 600 participants, 300(50%) were housewives and 300(50%) were working women. The mean age of housewives was 35.56±7.53 years and that of working women was 35.44±6.65 years (p=0.827). Study outcomes revealed that dietary habits influenced severity of depression. In none/minimal category, most women in both study groups were those who were taking 3 meals [18(14.5%) housewives and 114(52.8%) working women], 8 or more glasses of water [16(16%) housewives and 94(48%) working women]and fast food rarely[20(12%) housewives and76(44.7%) working women]. A high number of women with minimal depression were witnessed among participants who rarely consumed vegetables [16(13.1%) housewives and 50(42.4%) working women]. Considering overall depression, a large number of housewives showed moderate depression, i.e. 156(52%). On the contrary, the number of working women showing minimal depression was 142(47.3%) compared to 30(17.4%) housewives (p<0.001).

Although housewives were more depressed than working women, the highest number of participants with none or minimal depression in both study groups were those who had better dietary practices.