Dr. Ying Liu Authors Article in Journal of Affective Disorders
Dr. Ying Liu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in the College of Public Health, is lead author of an article in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The article, “An association of health behaviors with depression and metabolic risks: Data from 2007 to 2014 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey” investigate whether certain health behaviors are associated with depression and metabolic syndrome simultaneously.
Both depression and metabolic syndrome confer an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence suggests healthy behaviors, such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity, are crucial to maintain, improve and manage chronical disease and mental health.
This study included 1300 participants aged 20 years and over who had answered mental health-depression screening questions and finished examinations and laboratory tests related to five risk factors of the metabolic syndrome, during the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014.
Prevalence of depression among U.S. adults is 15.08%. The two most often reported depression symptoms were “Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much” and “Feeling tired or having little energy”, with rates of14.68% and 13.09%, respectively. Participants who engaged in only light physical activity were more likely to have been identified as experiencing both depression and metabolic syndrome than those who engaged in vigorous physical activity. Individuals in the study having poor diets were more likely to suffer from depression than those eating good diets.
The authors conclude physical activity is strongly and inversely associated with depression and metabolic syndrome. Diet is significantly associated with depression but not metabolic syndrome in this study.
Co-authors include Doctor of Public Health student Ifeoma Ozodiegwu, individuals from the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University, and Henan Agricultural University.
The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes papers concerned with affective disorders in the widest sense: depression, mania, mood spectrum, emotions and personality, anxiety and stress. It is interdisciplinary and aims to bring together different approaches for a diverse readership.