The role of ultra-processed food consumption and depression on type 2 diabetes incidence: a prospective community study in Quebec, Canada.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the association between depression and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption as risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).

DESIGN

A prospective community study.

SETTING

Baseline data (2009-2010) from CARTaGENE community health study from Quebec, Canada, were used. Food and drink consumption was assessed using the Canadian-Diet History Questionnaire II and grouped according to their degree of processing by the NOVA classification, and participants were categorised into tertiles of UPF (g/d). Depression was defined using either a validated cut-off score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 or antidepressant use. The outcome was the incidence of T2D, examined in 3880 participants by linking survey data with administrative health insurance data. Cox regression models estimated the associations between UPF, depression and incident T2D.

PARTICIPANTS

40-69-year-old individuals at baseline.

RESULTS

In total, 263 (6·8 %) individuals developed T2D. Participants with high depressive symptoms and high UPF consumption showed the highest risk for T2D (adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) = 1·58, 95 % CI (0·98, 2·68)), compared to those with low depressive symptoms and low UPF consumption. The risk for T2D was similar when high depressive symptoms and antidepressant use were combined with high UPF (aHR 1·62, 95 % CI (1·02, 2·57)).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that co-occurring depression and high UPF consumption were associated with a higher risk for T2D. Early management and monitoring of both risk factors might be essential for diabetes prevention.