Depression and Vitamin D Levels in Student-Athletes

Abstract

Depression affects nearly seven percent of adults across the world, with a higher incidence rate in young adults ages 18 to 25. Student-athletes are a subpopulation of college students that are often overlooked in terms of depression. In addition to the prevalence and factors contributing to depression, this project examined the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (Vitamin D) levels and depression in 51 student-athletes. Student-athletes completed demographic information, the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and blood draws. It was determined that: the incidence of depression increased from preseason to postseason, there was not a significant correlation between vitamin D and depression scores, and there was a significant correlation between depression scores and serum ferritin levels in females only.