Is There a Relationship between Vegetarianism and Seasonal Affective Disorder? A Pilot Study

Alie N R Meesters; Mirkka Maukonen; Timo Partonen; Satu Männistö; Marijke C M Gordijn; Ybe Meesters

doi:10.1159/000477247

Is There a Relationship between Vegetarianism and Seasonal Affective Disorder? A Pilot Study

Neuropsychobiology. 2016;74(4):202-206. doi: 10.1159/000477247. Epub 2017 Jun 22.

Authors

Alie N R Meesters¹, Mirkka Maukonen, Timo Partonen, Satu Männistö, Marijke C M Gordijn, Ybe Meesters

Affiliation

¹ Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 28637035
DOI: 10.1159/000477247

Abstract

Background and aim: Seasonal patterns of food intake are found in healthy individuals and particularly in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). One nutritional choice is a vegetarian diet.

Methods: In a Finnish population study, FINRISK 2012, information about diet and SAD was collected. In a Dutch outpatient clinic, SAD patients were asked if they were vegetarian.

Results: The percentage of SAD patients among Finnish vegetarians was 4 times higher than in the normal population. The percentage of vegetarians among the SAD patients in a Dutch outpatient clinic was 3 times higher than in the normal population. In the Dutch population, the seasonal loss of energy, in particular, is related to vegetarianism.

Conclusion: These findings suggest a possible link between vegetarianism and SAD.

Keywords: Food; SAD; SPAQ; Seasonal affective disorder; Vegetarianism.