Evaluation of body weight, food choice and eating behavior of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder

Depressive disorders are among the most important diseases in the world. Major depressive disorder (MDD), a subclass of depressive disorders, is the most common mental disorder in the world and increases the global burden of disease every day. In major depressive disorder, the amount of food consumed, food choice, eating behavior and body weight may be affected depending on mood and appetite. The aim of this study was to assess body weight, determine food choice determinants and evaluate eating behaviors in adult patients with MDD. The study was conducted with a total of 100 people, 50 adult patients diagnosed with MDD in the case group and 50 healthy adults in the control group. Socio-demographic characteristics, health and medication status, nutritional behavior questionnaire, food choice determinants were determined using Food Choice Questionnaire (FQQ) and eating behaviors were determined using Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40) and body weight was evaluated using Body Mass Index. In the MDD group and the control group, 70% of the participants were female. The mean age of the group diagnosed with major depressive disorder was 34.3±10.5 years and the mean age of the control group was 34.1±10.2 years. 52% of the group diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and 32% of the control group showed eating behavior by waking up at night (p<0.05). Body Mass Index was 25.9±3.6 kg/m2 in the group diagnosed with MDD and 23.1±2.3 kg/m2 in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). According to body weight evaluation, 38% of the group diagnosed with MDD was normal, 62% was slightly obese and overweight, while 80% of the control group was normal, 20% was slightly obese and overweight. Mild obesity and overweight were more common in the group diagnosed with MDD (p<0.05). The mean scores of the health, mood and familiarity subcomponent of the BSA of the group diagnosed with major depressive disorder were higher than the control group, while the weight control subcomponent score was lower (p<0.05). The mean Eating Attitude Test score was 21.1±12.7 in the group diagnosed with MDD and 13.6±8.8 in the control group (p<0.05). 16% of the group diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 6% of the control group were predisposed to develop eating behavior disorder (EBD) (p˃0.05). The prevalence of obesity in patients with major depressive disorder may pose a risk for the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In the treatment process of patients with major depressive disorder, it is important to monitor body weight and eating behaviors and apply medical nutrition therapy under the supervision of a dietician. Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Food choice; Eating behavior; Food questionnaire; Eating attitude test.