The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Mood Disorders

Patients with psychiatric disorders often have poor food patterns, either from a reduced appetite, skipping meals, consuming fast or processed foods, or a general lack of interest in food altogether. In fact, patterns of poor dietary intake often predate the appearance of symptoms of these disorders.1 In a Spanish study Sanchez-Villegas et al. followed 493 participants over a median time of 6.2 years, tracking their consumption of fast food and processed pastries and exploring possible correlations with incidence of depression.2 They found an increased risk of depression in those with greater fast food intake.