Evaluation of the relationship between serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and mood and nutritional status in adult individuals

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and mood and nutritional status in adults. The study was conducted on 55 adult individuals (9 males, 46 females) aged between 19 and 45 years who applied to Private Lokman Hekim Demet Medical Center in Ankara between September 2020 and November 2020 for nutrition and diet services. Demographic characteristics, nutritional habits and anthropometric measurements of the individuals were determined by appropriate methods, SF-36 (Short Form - 36) Quality of Life Scale, Beck Depression Scale and to determine their physical activity levels International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ Short Form) were applied. The food consumption levels of the individuals were determined with the 3-day food consumption record method, and the biochemical findings used in the study were obtained from the patient files in the hospital system. It has been determined that 49.1% (n = 27) of the individuals were in the minimal depression group, 30.9% (n = 17) in the mild depression, 14.5% (n = 8) in the moderate depression, and 5.5% (n = 3) in the severe depression group. The mean beck depression scale score for women was determined as 12.2 ± 8.82, and for men as 10.7 ± 13.55. It was found that the total beck depression score of the individuals was not related to the daily dietary intake and plasma values of folate and B12 vitamins (p> 0.05). However, considering the depression groups, it was found that there was a moderate negative correlation between dietary B12 intake and depression score in the mild depression group (p <0.05). While the daily vitamin B12 intake of individuals provides the recommended amount, it has been determined that their folate intake is below the recommended amount. According to the IPAQ short form physical activity scale, 41.8% (n = 23) of the individuals were found to be minimally active, 40% (n = 22) were inactive, 18.2% (n = 10) were found to be very active. There was no statistically significant relationship between physical activity level and depression score (p> 0.05). No significant relationship was found between the individuals' age, gender, sociodemographic characteristics, general nutritional habits, dieting status, and disease states and depression status. Anthropometric measurements related to obesity, such as BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist / hip ratio, body fat percentage, and depression score were found to be significantly positively correlated (p> 0.05). A high level of negative correlation was found between the depression score of men and diet and daily energy (kcal / day) and carbohydrate (g) intake (p <0.05). Daily intake of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (%) were found to be moderately positively associated with depression only in the minimal depression group, while protein (%), fat (%), saturated fatty acids (%), monounsaturated fatty acids (%), carbohydrates (g), carbohydrates (%) were found to be highly correlated with depression score in the severe depression group (p <0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between depression scores of individuals and all subscale scores of quality of life (p <0.05). As a result, it was determined that the quality of life is significantly associated with mood. It was observed that the nutritional status of the individual and serum folate and B12 levels may have effects on mood, but there was no statistically significant relationship due to the small study group. More comprehensive research is needed on the subject. Keywords: Vitamin B12, Folate, Mood, Nutritional status, Quality of life