The association between added sugar consumption and major depression in adult women

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between added sugar consumption and levels of major depression in adult women. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale and the Block Fat/Sugar/Fruit/Vegetable Screener were used to collect data, along with knowledge questions about added sugar, and a question regarding nutrition support when seeking mental health treatment. Data was collected from a sample of 74 women ages 18-55 living in the United States through a Facebook link. The main findings of the study were an association between added sugar consumption and levels of depression, r=.389, p. 05. Results of the knowledge portion of the survey show that participants did not have a strong understanding of added sugar, as 48.6% received a "low" score. The self reported surveys reveal that 67.5% of participants who sought mental health treatment were not given specific nutrition recommendations. The findings in this specific study provide evidence that of an association between levels of added sugar intake and major depression levels in women.