(P17-042-25) Ultra-Processed Food Intake, Other Dietary Risk Behaviors and Depression in Korean Adults

Objectives: Studies suggest that diet and related behaviors may influence mental health but few studies examined the associations with depression. This study investigated the associations of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and other dietary risk behaviors with prevalence of depression among Korean adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from 2,991 Korean adults aged 43–73 years in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Ansan-Ansung cohort. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. UPF intake, classified according to the Nova definition, was estimated in the percentage of grams of daily food intake and grouped into quartiles. Dietary risk behaviors included frequent breakfast skipping, frequent irregular meal timing, fast eating, frequent overeating, and frequent nighttime snacking. Depression was defined as having the Korean Beck Depression Inventory score ≥10. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: Higher UPF intake was associated with higher prevalence of depression (highest vs. lowest quartiles: OR [95% CI]: 1.59 [1.24, 2.05]). Frequent breakfast skipping (≥5 vs 0–1 days/week: OR [95% CI]: 1.54 [1.15, 2.06]), irregular meal timing (≥5 vs 0–1 days/week: 1.30 [1.00, 1.69]), and frequent overeating (6–7 vs 0–1 times/week: 1.69 [1.17, 2.46]) were also positively associated with prevalence of depression. Fast eating and frequent nighttime snacking were not associated with depression. Among UPF subgroups, intakes of UPF breads and cereals (1.07 [1.01, 1.14]) and sugar-sweetened beverages (1.04 [1.02, 1.06]) were positively associated with depression.

Conclusions: Higher UPF intake and dietary risk behaviors, such as frequent breakfast skipping, irregular meal timing, and overeating, are positively associated with prevalence of depression. These findings highlight the importance of practicing healthy dietary behaviors in improving mental health.

Funding Sources: BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health