Protein-enriched and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, healthy lifestyle index and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study of 287,945 adults in China.

Objectives: Depressive symptoms have a considerable negative impact on mental health. This study aimed to understand the relationship between the protein-enriched and anti-inflammatory dietary index scores, modified healthy lifestyle index scores (Modified HLIS), and depressive symptoms.

Methods: This study used convenience sampling to conduct a single-center cross-sectional survey. From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020, a total of 287,945 Chinese adults from a health management center of a general hospital completed an online self-reported health questionnaire, which included demographic characteristics, the Dietary Diversity Scale, the Modified Healthy Lifestyle Index Scores and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Results: The higher anti-inflammatory dietary index scores (POR = 0.87; 95 % CI: 0.86-0.87; p < 0.001), moderate modified healthy lifestyle index scores (POR = 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.75-0.78; p < 0.001) and sufficient modified healthy lifestyle index scores (POR = 0.53; 95 % CI: 0.52-0.54; p < 0.001) were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, while the higher protein-enriched dietary index scores (POR = 1.01; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001) was positively correlated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that protein-enriched and anti-inflammatory dietary index scores, and multiple healthy lifestyles are associated depressive symptoms in adults.