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Depression, diet and exercise

journal contribution
posted on 2012-01-01, 00:00 authored by Felice JackaFelice Jacka, Michael BerkMichael Berk
Unhealthy lifestyle behaviour is driving an increase in the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide.

Recent evidence suggests that poor diet and a lack of exercise contribute to the genesis and course of depression.

While studies examining dietary improvement as a treatment strategy in depression are lacking, epidemiological evidence clearly points to diet quality being of importance to the risk of depression.

Exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment strategy for depression, but this is not reflected in treatment guidelines, and increased physical activity is not routinely encouraged when managing depression in clinical practice.

Recommendations regarding dietary improvement, increases in physical activity and smoking cessation should be routinely given to patients with depression.

Specialised and detailed advice may not be necessary. Recommendations should focus on following national guidelines for healthy eating and physical activity.

History

Journal

Medical journal of Australia

Volume

Open 1

Issue

Supplement 4

Pagination

21 - 23

Publisher

Australasian Medical Publishing Company Pty Ltd

Location

Strawberry Hills, N.S.W.

ISSN

0025-729X

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal; C Journal article

Copyright notice

2012, Australasian Medical Publishing Company Pty Ltd