Adherence to Australian diet, physical activity and alcohol guidelines is associated with lower risk of depression and anxiety: a secondary analysis of the CALM trial.

Greater diet quality was associated with reduced risk of depression and anxiety.

• Risk ratio (RR) = 0.93 for diet quality and depression/anxiety outcomes
• Analysis was conducted in 182 adults experiencing psychological distress
• Data were pooled from both arms of a non-inferiority trial (CALM trial) comparing lifestyle-based therapy to psychotherapy
• Adherence was assessed against Australian national dietary guidelines

Greater physical activity adherence was associated with substantially reduced risk of depression and anxiety.

• Risk ratio (RR) = 0.51 for physical activity adherence and depression/anxiety outcomes
• Physical activity adherence was assessed against Australian national physical activity guidelines
• This represented the largest magnitude of association among the lifestyle factors examined
• Sample included 182 adults experiencing psychological distress

Limited alcohol consumption in accordance with guidelines was associated with reduced risk of depression and anxiety.

• Risk ratio (RR) = 0.59 for limited alcohol consumption and depression/anxiety outcomes
• Alcohol consumption was assessed against Australian national alcohol guidelines
• Analysis was performed in 182 adults experiencing psychological distress
• Data were drawn from a secondary analysis of the CALM trial

Ultra-processed food consumption was associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety.

• Risk ratio (RR) = 1.03 for ultra-processed food consumption and depression/anxiety outcomes
• Ultra-processed foods were examined as a specific dietary component alongside overall diet quality
• This finding indicates a positive association between ultra-processed food intake and mental health risk
• Analysis was conducted in a sample of 182 adults with psychological distress

The study investigated associations between adherence to multiple Australian lifestyle guidelines and mental health outcomes in adults with psychological distress.

• Sample size was 182 adults experiencing psychological distress
• Study design was a secondary analysis using pooled data from both arms of the CALM non-inferiority trial
• Lifestyle factors examined included diet quality, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking
• The CALM trial compared lifestyle-based therapy to psychotherapy
• Dietary components including ultra-processed foods were also examined separately from overall diet quality

The authors concluded that integrating lifestyle modification into mental health prevention and treatment is important, and that prescribing dietary behaviours based on national guidelines may offer practical mental health benefits.

• Findings highlight the importance of integrating lifestyle modification into mental health prevention and treatment
• Prescribing dietary behaviours based on national guidelines was suggested to offer practical mental health benefits
• Associations were found for diet quality, physical activity, and alcohol limitation with reduced depression and anxiety risk
• Ultra-processed food consumption was identified as a dietary risk factor for worse mental health outcomes