Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported anxiety in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Spain: A cross-sectional Ibero-American study.

The present study evaluated the factors associated with the perception of anxiety during the first wave of covid-19 in Ibero-American countries. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 5.845 participants of both sexes, over 18 years of age, and residents of four Latin American countries-Argentina (16.7%), Brazil (34.5%), Mexico (11.1%), and Peru (17.5%), and one European country-Spain (20.1%). Data were collected in 2020, between April 1st and June 30th in Spain and between July 13th and September 26th in the Latin American countries. We used an online questionnaire with sociodemographic, lifestyle, self-reported anxiety, and covid-19 related questions. The chi-square statistical test and Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the factors associated with self-reported anxiety. The presence of self-reported anxiety was found in 63.8% of the participants during the isolation period. The association occurred mainly in women (OR:1.52; CI: 1.3-1.7), those aged 18 to 29 years (OR: 1.51; CI: 1.2-1.9) and 30 to 49 years (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3-1.9), residents of Argentina (OR: 1.55 CI: 1.2-1.9), Brazil (OR: 2.38; CI: 2.0-2.8) and Mexico (OR: 1.52; CI: 1.2-1.9), those who gained weight (OR:1.71 CI: 1.5-1.9) or lost weight (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.2-1.6), and those who reported having slept more (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3-1.8) or less (OR: 2.89; CI: 2.5-3.4). We conclude that the prevalence of self-reported anxiety in Ibero-American countries was high during the period studied, highlighting a higher likelihood of its occurrence in Brazil, in those who began to sleep less and gained weight.

Associations of depression and intake of antioxidants and vitamin B complex: Results of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: Optimum functioning of the central nervous system is dependent on a wide range of nutrients, so mental illness can be impacted by diet via several mechanisms. We aimed to investigate the associations of antioxidants (vitamin A, C and E, and selenium and zinc) and vitamin B complex (B6, folate and B12) intake with depression in 14,737 subjects of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. METHODS: Baseline cross-sectional data was analyzed. Micronutrients intake was measured using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, and depression was assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised. Logistic regression models were built using daily intake quintiles of micronutrients. RESULTS: A significant inverse relationship was observed between depression and higher intake of selenium, zinc, vitamins B6 and B12 for the total sample. Among women, a similar pattern of associations was observed, in addition to the higher intake of vitamins A and C. Among men, a significant inverse relationship between depression was observed only with the intake of vitamins B12 and B6. Higher total antioxidant intake was significantly associated with lower odds of depression and an inverse dose-response effect between total antioxidant intake and clinical severity of depression was observed among women, in adjusted models. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias in assessing diet. Misclassification bias regarding current depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is associated with lower intake of antioxidants and B vitamins. Higher intake of selected micronutrients may contribute to reduce depression occurrence and severity.