Eating Related Attitudes and Diet in Persons at Risk for Suicide Ideation
Funded by Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd from The E Robert & Alison L Hayles Charitable Fund.
Research in conjunction with Drs Nerina and Maria Caltabiano of James Cook University explores the relationship between diet, attachment and suicide for Indigenous people. Findings will inform primary care interventions to help stem the prevalence of suicide in rural and remote communities. The research addresses self-injury prevention, one of the national health priority areas identified by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) and the NHMRC.
Suicide is three times higher among Indigenous people than for other Australians, comprising 14.3 per cent of Indigenous deaths (ABS 2004; Cat No. 3303.0). Increasing evidence in the literature links suicide and diet, in particular low cholesterol. Depression has been associated with dietary deficiencies in essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish. Low blood glucose has been linked with low self-control, impulsive behaviour and poor emotion regulation, characteristics implicated in unplanned suicide. While the consumption of energy dense carbohydrates and sweets has been linked to self-enhancement of mood in depressed persons, we know little about the effects of other food groups alone or in combination with alcohol or caffeine on emotional states which may precipitate self-harm.