P556 - BASELINE FINDINGS OF NUTRITION INTERVENTION (RCT) AMONG MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS

P556

BASELINE FINDINGS OF NUTRITION INTERVENTION (RCT) AMONG MENTAL HEALTH

AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS

E. Nevala^1,*, J. Puustinen^1,2, A. Ruusunen^1,3, J. Korkeila¹, H. Kyhä¹, M. Kahala¹, S. Kunvik¹

¹Research Center for Human Functioning, Satakunta university of Applied Sciences, ²Wellbeing Services County of Satakunta, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Unit of Neurology,, Pori, ³Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

Rationale: Psychiatric nurses have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and while the association between nutrition and depression is recognized, randomized controlled trials are needed. This study aims to describe the cross-sectional baseline data on nutrient intakes, depressive symptoms and eating behaviors of professionals in the mental health and substance abuse field.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the randomized controlled trial (RCT) Mind Nutrition. Participants included 51 professionals from the mental health and substance abuse field of the Wellbeing Services County of Satakunta. Nutrient intakes and eating behavior were assessed using a three-day food diary and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18 (TFEQ-18). Depressive symptoms were measured using the The Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression (CES-D), and other baseline characteristics were collected using electric survey.

Results: At the baseline, most participants were women (92%) with a mean age of 45.5 years. A majority (80%) had low depressive symptoms (CES-D<15), while 14% had mild to moderate (CES-D 15–21) and 6% had high levels (CES-D>21) of depressive symptoms. Mean carbohydrate intake was 41 energy percents (E%), with 80% belowthe recommendations (40–65 E%). Fiber, folate, and vitamin D intake were insufficient, while saturated fat and salt intakes were excessive. Measured with TFEQ-18, participants showed moderate cognitive restraint (37.3p.) and emotional eating (41.2p.), with low uncontrolled eating (35.0p.), suggesting occasional dietary control and emotional influences. Depressive symptoms (CES-D scores) correlated with uncontrolled (r=0.278, p=0.049) and emotional eating (r=0.446, p=0.001).

Conclusion: Professionals working in the mental health and substance abuse field had nutritional and eating behavioral challenges, and eating behavior was associated with depressive symptoms.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared