Depression and its relationship with food consumption and body image

Abstract

Depression is a mental disorder that compromises the physical and psychological health of the individual, and can affect people of any age, about 300 million people and when this disorder remains for a long time, it can lead to suicide. The increase in the prevalence of depression is related to the adoption of a modern lifestyle, represented by a sedentary lifestyle, dietary changes and sleep deprivation, a stressful environment, fast pace and low quality of the diet consumed. Body image can be defined as a wide range of psychological experiences. It encompasses not only the concept of physical appearance, but attitudes towards the body, encompassing thoughts, behaviors, convictions, emotions and actions and over the years, society has promoted an aesthetic standard that privileges thin or muscular and defined bodies associated with beauty and success, and this is promoted mainly through the media. In some mood changes, food consumption may increase, with greater interest in consuming high-calorie foods, such as ultra-processed foods.  These foods increase the production of serotonin in the body, providing a feeling of immediate pleasure and, consequently, it becomes a vicious cycle. Therefore, the promotion of healthy eating, with foods that are a source of antioxidant nutrients, is important in the prevention and treatment of depression, in addition to humanized care, with a multidisciplinary team.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.006-011