Case–control study shows iron deficiency anemia is linked to increased depression risk in adolescent girls, suggesting nutritional interventions are vital.
Key Points
This investigation aims to explore the link between iron deficiency anemia and depression in adolescent females.
Conducted a case–control study with 120 adolescent females aged 15–20 years in Gujarat, India.
Divided participants into depressed (n=60) and non-depressed (n=60) groups based on health questionnaire criteria.
Analyzed data using SPSS, applying Chi-square tests with a significance level of P < 0.05.
53.3% of the depressed group had anemia compared to 13.3% of the control group (P < 0.001).
Obesity associated with depression: 33.3% in depressed vs. 25.0% in controls (OR = 1.58, P = 0.048).
Inadequate physical activity correlated significantly with depression: 40% in depressed vs. 16.7% in controls (OR = 3.33, P = 0.007).