Regular meals and diverse diets linked to lower depressive symptoms
An analysis of 21,568 Korean adults found that irregular main meals are tied to 1.55x higher odds of depressive symptoms compared with regular meals, with greater dietary diversity buffering the risk; breakfast skipping worsens the link, especially among men, smokers, and late eaters. Because the study is cross-sectional and relies on self-reported data, causality can’t be established, and longitudinal or controlled trials are needed. Still, maintaining a regular eating schedule and a varied diet may support emotional health.