Fish consumption, not fatty acid status, is related to quality of life in a healthy population

Schiepers, O.J.G.; de Groot, R.H.M.; Jolles, J.; van Boxtel, M.P.J.

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2010.02.030

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Volume 83, Issue 1 , Pages 31-35, July 2010

Fish consumption, not fatty acid status, is related to quality of life in a healthy population

O.J.G. Schiepers
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS)/European Graduate School for Neuroscience (EURON), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +31433881027; fax: +31433884092.
R.H.M. de Groot
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS)/European Graduate School for Neuroscience (EURON), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- AZIRE Research Institute, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. Jolles
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS)/European Graduate School for Neuroscience (EURON), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- AZIRE Research Institute, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M.P.J. van Boxtel
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS)/European Graduate School for Neuroscience (EURON), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

Received 20 May 2009; received in revised form 30 September 2009; accepted 12 February 2010. published online 08 March 2010.

Abstract

Depressive symptoms in the community have a considerable impact on quality of life. Although long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) have frequently been implicated in depressed mood, their relationship with quality of life has scarcely been investigated.

This study examined the cross-sectional associations between fish consumption and plasma phospholipid LCPUFA status on the one hand, and quality of life, as measured by the Short Form 36 questionnaire, on the other in a population-based sample. The mental health component of quality of life was not associated with LCPUFA status or fish consumption. Fish consumption showed a positive association with physical well-being, which remained significant after correction for LCPUFA status, suggesting that the relationship between fish consumption and physical well-being is independent of the LCPUFA content of fish. These findings indicate that fish consumption may serve as a proxy for a healthy lifestyle or a favorable nutritional status, which is reflected in better quality of life.

Keywords: Fish consumption, Fatty acids, Mental health, Quality of life, Population-based study