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Maternal, Perinatal and Pediatric Nutrition (Poster Session)

(P10-111-24) Nourishing the Mind: Exploring the Relationship Between Maternal Diet and Depression Among Women of Reproductive Age in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Sunday, June 30, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 604
Disclosure(s):
Wajiha Zulfiqar, MSPH: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: To examine the association between diet quality and depression among women of reproductive age in East Visayas, Philippines and to identify specific dietary components or food groups that are significantly associated with depression.

Methods: This study involves secondary analysis of the baseline data of impact evaluation study conducted in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. The data was originally collected as part of a quasi-experimental study designed to assess the impact of timed and targeted counseling in the Philippines.

Results: The results reveal significant differences in the consumption of various food groups between currently pregnant women with no baby and women not pregnant but with a baby. For non-pregnant women with a child aged 0-11.9 months significant positive associations were found between maternal dietary diversity scores and EPDS scores (β = 0.037, 95%CI: 0.012- 0.061, p = 0.003), maternal dietary diversity scores and ‘probable depression’ category (β =0.522, 95% CI: 0.176 - 0.868, p=0.003; Ref: No depression), sweet beverage consumption and EPDS scores (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00 -1.05, p=0.023). However, unhealthy foods were not found to have significant relationship with maternal mental health among pregnant and non-pregnant women with baby.

Conclusions: The study found weak association of maternal dietary diversity with depression among pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women with baby. The consumption of sweet beverages may be a variable of interest, but it does not independently contribute to the risk of postpartum depression, similarly unhealthy foods have no significant impact on mental health across the study population. The study contributes to the broader body of literature on maternal mental health and facilitates future research into the complex interplay between diet, maternal factors, and mental health.

Funding Sources: World Vision Korea and Korea International Cooperation Agency