Association Between Nutritional Risk and Mental Health in Older Adults: Focusing on Depression and Cognitive Function

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Nutritional Science
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Global population aging increases the relevance of nutritional risk in older adults.
• Nutritional risk is associated with both physical and mental health decline.
• This study investigates nutritional risk, depression, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between nutritional risk, depression, and cognitive function.
• To explore variations in these associations based on demographic and functional factors.
• To inform community-based support strategies for at-risk older adults.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 9955 community-dwelling older adults (aged 65+).
• Assessed nutritional risk using the DETERMINE checklist.
• Measured depression with the Geriatric Depression Scale and cognitive function with the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination-2.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations found between nutritional risk and cognitive function (r=-0.191), nutritional risk and depression (r=0.440), and depression and cognitive function (r=-0.259).
• Higher nutritional risk scores correlated with increased depressive symptoms (B=0.314) and decreased cognitive function (B=-0.051).
• Some subgroup differences were noted, requiring cautious interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Nutritional risk is significantly associated with depressive symptoms and cognitive function in older adults.
• The DETERMINE checklist indicates broader vulnerability, not just dietary status.
• Integrated, multidimensional approaches are crucial for supporting older adults at nutritional risk.