Dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

Diet may be one of the modifiable environmental factors that could reduce depressive symptoms or abate the development of depression without side effects. However, previous reviews mainly focused on general adult populations.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between healthy dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults.

Eight databases were searched up to September 2019. The inclusion criteria were older adults aged ≥ 65 years, healthy dietary patterns, depression assessed by a physician or by validated screening tools, and quantitative study design.

Data were extracted independently by 2 researchers, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was followed.

Meta-analysis was conducted by calculating the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs. A total of 18 eligible studies were meta-analyzed. Results showed that a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of depression in older adults (OR, 0.85; 95%CI, 0.78-0.92; P < 0.001). There was high heterogeneity (I2 = 64.9%; P < 0.001) among the studies. Subgroup analyses indicated that sample size and depression screening tools were the main sources of study heterogeneity.

An inverse association between healthy dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults was found. However, the high heterogeneity among the studies should be considered.

PROSPERO registration no. CRD 42020169195.