Serum vitamin D concentrations are related to depression in young adult US population: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Int Arch Med. 2010; 3: 29. PMCID: PMC2996356
Vijay Ganji,corresponding author1 Cristiana Milone,1 Mildred M Cody,1 Frances McCarty,2 and Yong T Wang3
1Division of Nutrition, School of Health Professions, College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
2Institute of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
3Division of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur Street, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Vijay Ganji: vganji at gsu.edu; Received September 21, 2010; Accepted November 11, 2010.

Background
Vitamin D receptors have been mapped throughout the brain suggesting a role for vitamin D in psychosomatic disorders. Results from previous epidemiological studies on relation between vitamin D status and depression are equivocal. Also, limited information is available relating vitamin D status with depression in young adult US population.

Methods
Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to assess association between serum vitamin D and depression in 7970 non-institutionalized US residents, aged 15-39 y. Assessment of depression was done using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. After accounting for several confounding variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis, we estimated odds ratios (OR) for having depression in vitamin D deficient persons in comparison to vitamin D sufficient persons.

RESULTS:
– Women,
– non-Hispanic blacks,
– persons living below poverty,
– persons who did not consume supplements,
– persons living in South and West regions and in urban areas,
– persons with higher BMI, and
– persons with current depression Results
had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to their counterparts. OR for having current depressive episodes in persons with serum vitamin D ? 50 nmol/L is significantly higher relative to those with serum vitamin D ? 75 nmol/L (OR = 1.85; P = 0.021).

Conclusions
In this large population based study, likelihood of having depression in persons with vitamin D deficiency is significantly higher compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency. Early diagnosis and intervention are paramount because coexistence of vitamin D deficiency and depression has serious negative consequences on health.
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See also on Vitamin D Life:

• Winter Blues / Depression 36 items as of Feb 2012
• 36 percent less depression when have high level of vitamin D – July 2011
• Depressed people had less than 10 ng of vitamin D – July 2010
• vitamin D variations and mental health - Aug 2010 nice charts
• Depression in UAE peaks in the summer – probably due to sun avoidance – Feb 2011
• Several abstracts on vitamin D and depression – Y or N July 2010
• Depression 40 percent more likely if low vitamin D – Oct 2011
• Teens no longer depressed after vitamin D raised to 36 ng – Feb 2012