Higher caloric ratio of carbohydrate intake associated with increased risk of depression: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data from 2005 to 2020.

Introduction: Depression remains a significant global mental health challenge. However, the relationship between the Caloric Ratio of Carbohydrate Intake (CRC) and depression remains unclear.

Methods: This study utilizes data from the NHANES database spanning 2005-2020 and employs R programming language for data analysis. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). CRC was calculated as total carbohydrate intake*4/total caloric intake. Multivariable logistic regression models and regression spline models were applied to further explore the relationship between CRC and Depression.

Results: Data from 9254 participants were included, with 1530 individuals identified with depression. A higher CRC, exceeding 54.1 % (Quartile 4 (Q4) of the population), was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models indicated a higher depression level (β = 0.5102, 95%CI [0.2419-0.7784], P = 0.0002), higher risk of depression (HR = 1.3380, 95 % CI [1.1331-1.5812], P = 0.0006) and higher impact of depression on life (HR = 1.5133, 95 % CI [1.1656-1.9746], P = 0.0020) at CRC-Q4 levels compared to Quartile 1 (Q1) of the population levels.

Conclusion: In this extensive cross-sectional study, our findings suggest that a higher CRC is significantly associated with an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms among U.S. adults.