Abstract

Depression is a common comorbidity in individuals with chronic health issues, worsening disease burden, and treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence suggested diet plays a role in mental health. This analysis investigated the influence of dietary interventions on depression, synthesizing evidence to evaluate their effectiveness and clinical implications. Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) enrolled in this analysis included overweight or obese adults with chronic conditions who underwent hypocaloric dietary interventions. A Literature search of PubMed, Ovid, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library was conducted. Depression scores were the primary outcome. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, with heterogeneity evaluated via chi-square and I² statistics. The search yielded 7,588 studies, with six RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 49 to 439 participants, with interventions including hypocaloric diets and behavioral support. Depression assessments utilized validated scales. Meta-analysis revealed a considerable reduction in depression symptoms in the intervention groups (standardized mean difference = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.09, p = 0.001), with no significant heterogeneity (I² = 0%, p = 0.42). Findings support dietary interventions as a strategy for depression management in individuals with chronic conditions. In conclusion, this work provided evidence that hypocaloric diets were linked with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Future large-scale, well-controlled randomized trials are required to optimize dietary approaches for improving mental well-being.9

Key words: Depression, dietary interventions, chronic health conditions, hypocaloric diet, review