Brenda Leung

Combining her interests in nutritional epidemiology and mental health, Brenda Leung, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, has designed a study to examine the link between nutrition and depression in pregnant women and new mothers.She notes that her work in the mental-health area is filling a gap.

"Most nutrition-based studies deal with physical-health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease," she says.

Two aspects of Leung's work break new ground: her long-term approach to this study of nutrition and depression; and her focus on pregnant women, who are often excluded in such studies.

Leung began work on the first stage of this project in September 2006 and plans to have preliminary data by late 2009.Working with a seven-member team, including the directors of three prenatal clinics in Calgary, Leung is recruiting women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy to help her find out whether there is any link between diet and depression.

Leung's study will follow these women throughout their pregnancies and after their children are born.She hopes that it will determine what pregnant women are really eating, and whether there is any connection between certain nutrients (or combinations of nutrients) and mood.

Depression is one of the fastest-rising medical conditions in the world.The World Health Organization ranks depression second on the list of disabilities that reduce productivity worldwide.Leung also points out that depression in women can have far-reaching effects.
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At the University of Calgary, Leung first tackled master's studies in the Department of Community Health Sciences.
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In 2005, Leung began doctoral work under research psychologist Dr. Bonnie Kaplan in the Department of Pediatrics.Leung's PhD studies are funded by AHFMR and the Alberta Mental Health Board through a new and innovative partnership.

Brenda Leung, a researcher at the University of Calgary, is conducting a new study to determine whether dietary intake during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression in new mothers.

Postpartum depression affects approximately 16 percent of women after childbirth.Brenda Leung is investigating the dietary intake of women during pregnancy to determine whether not eating sufficiently during pregnancy is related to depression during pregnancy or during the postpartum period.

Brenda Leung's research is supported by a unique partnership between the Alberta Mental Health Board, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

** A Photo Opportunity with a Researcher at the Children's Hospital will be Available **

What: Media opportunity to interview medical researcher: Brenda Leung
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Brenda Leung is a PhD student in the Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary.Her research is funded by the Alberta Mental Health Board in partnership with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional and behavioral changes that occur in a mother after giving birth.It is a serious condition that can have a long lasting impact on the woman, her children and family.Symptoms can range from mild to severe depression and may appear within days of delivery or gradually, perhaps up to a year later.Symptoms may last a few weeks or longer.

Brenda Leung's research supervisor is Dr. Bonnie Kaplan, a Research Psychologist, also at the University of Calgary.
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With rates of cognitive and behavioral problems (such as autistic spectrum disorder, hyperactivity, learning disabilities) on the rise, both Brenda and Bonnie's research will be instrumental in understanding the link between diet of pregnant mothers and the mental health of their children.

Brenda Leung

bleun@ucalgary.ca