Changes in psychological outcomes and sleep quality following energy restriction with and without almonds

• Published in: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2024-04, Vol.83 (OCE1), Article E76
• Main Authors: Carter, S., Carter, A.J., Hill, A.M., Do, V., Buckley, J.D., Dorrian, J., Tan, S-Y., Rogers, G.B., Coates, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Body weight loss; Diet; Fatigue; Inertia; Latency; Maintenance; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mood; Nuts; Obesity; Overweight; Regression analysis; Sleep; Weight control; Weight loss
• ISSN: 0029-6651; 1475-2719
• DOI: 10.1017/S0029665124000946

Associations between obesity and mental illness have been identified, but they are complex and bidirectional(1). Weight loss interventions have been proposed as a potential strategy to improve mental health in individuals with overweight or obesity, but the evidence remains inconclusive(2). Additionally, the role of specific foods in a weight loss diet and mental health outcomes is not well understood(3). This study aimed to explore the association between weight loss (with and without almonds) and self-administered psychological and sleep assessments, including the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants (n = 140, 47.5 ± 10.8 years) with overweight or obesity (BMI: 30.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2) were randomised to an energy-controlled almond-enriched diet (AED) or nut-free diet (NFD). Psychological and sleep assessments were conducted at baseline, after 3 months of weight loss, and after 6 months of weight maintenance. Data were analysed using mixed-effects models and linear regression. For POMS, total mood disturbance score (TMDS) (60.2%, p = 0.01), fatigue-inertia (21.2%, p = 0.003), and vigor-activity (19.9%, p