Long-term fish intake is associated with less severe depressive symptoms among elderly men and women: The MEDIS (MEDiterranean ISlands Elderly) epidemiological study

Vassiliki Bountziouka, Evangelos Polychronopoulos, Akis Zeimbekis, Eftichia Papavenetiou, Evaggelia Ladoukaki, Natassa Papairakleous, Efthimios Gotsis, George Metallinos, Christos Lionis, Demosthenes Panagiotakos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: This work aims at exploring the association between fish intake and depressive symptoms, in older adults. Method: During 2005-2007, 1,190 men and women (>65 years) free living in various Greek islands and in Cyprus participated in the study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the validated Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and foods intake through a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: Almost 70% of the participants scored above the depressive cutoff (i.e., GDS score > 5), with women having higher values. People classified under the 1st tertile of GDS score (i.e., GDS ≤ 5) were more educated, physically active, and report higher fish consumption. One portion increase of fish consumption per week was associated with 0.58 times (95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.73) lower likelihood of having GDS score above the clinical threshold, after various adjustments were made. Discussion: These findings may assist public health policy makers in better preventing emotional disorders among the elderly by promoting healthier eating habits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)864-880
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2009

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Health behaviors

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