The relationship between dairy food intake and psychological distress among Iranian adults: results from a large cross-sectional population-based study

Abstract

Aim Psychological distress is associated with decreased quality of life. The nutritional factor is one of the most important for mental well-being. Subjects and methods The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between dairy food intake and psychological distress. In this cross-sectional study, data on the dietary food intake of 4763 participants were collected using a validated FFQ. Also, the Iranian validated version of the GHQ was used to screen psychological distress. Results Individuals in the highest tertile of total dairy food intake were less likely to have psychological distress (OR 0.80, 95 CI 0.70-0.91, P = 0.04) in the final adjusted model. At stratified analysis based on sex, the same findings were obtained only among women. Inversely, individuals in the highest category of high-fat dairy intake had greater odds of suffering from psychological distress (OR 1.45, 95 CI 1.07-1.83, P = 0.01). Also, higher intake of high-fat dairy was significantly associated with greater odds of psychological distress among women in models stratified by sex. However, we found a marginally significant inverse association between higher intake of low-fat dairy and psychological distress risk (OR 0.85, 95 CI 0.69-1.01, P = 0.07). This association was not significant among men and women in a stratified analysis based on sex. Conclusions The result showed dairy intake is associated with psychological distress. Further studies are required to confirm these associations.