P201 - DIETARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INDEX, ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESE INDIVIDUALS

P201

DIETARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INDEX, ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESE INDIVIDUALS

B. Kisioglu-Halis^1,2,*, M. Abban², M. Akkus²

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Duzce University, Duzce, ²Nutrition and Dietetics, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye

Rationale: The role of phytochemical-rich diets in mental health among overweight/obese individuals has been limitedly examined. This study investigated the dietary phytochemical index (DPI), anthropometric measurements, and depression/anxiety/stress scores in this high-risk population.

Methods: In this observational study, anthropometric measurements, DPI (calculated from 24-hour dietary recall), and depression/anxiety/stress scores (evaluated from DASS-21 and Beck’s Depression and Anxiety Inventories) were estimated in 100 overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥25 kg/m²; 50 men; 50 women). DPI was estimated using the formula: (daily energy derived from phytochemical-rich foods (kcal)/total daily energy intake (kcal)) × 100. Differences between groups and correlation analysis was performed using SPSS. 

Results: Women had higher DPI values (23.7±17.8), DASS anxiety scores (4.6±3.7), and Beck’s anxiety scores (11.9±10.0) than men (17.7±13.5, 3.4±2.6, 7.8±5.6, respectively) (p<0.05). No significant correlations were found between DPI and depression/anxiety/stress scores (p>0.05). However, in women, DPI was inversely correlated with body fat (r = -0.34, p = 0.013) and body fat percentage (r = -0.38, p = 0.006). Waist circumference was inversely correlated with DASS depression scores (r = -0.20, p = 0.039) and Beck’s depression scores (r = -0.20, p = 0.045). Moreover, only men showed an association between waist circumference and DASS depression scores (r = -0.34, p = 0.016).

Conclusion: While no significant associations between DPI and depression/anxiety/stress scores were observed in the whole sample, a higher DPI significantly associated with lower body fat in women. Additionally, higher waist circumference pointed to lower depression scores, with some results observed specifically in men. These findings highlight the importance of sex-specific approaches in DPI, body composition, and mental health in obesity.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared