Malnutrition in elderly: relationship with depression, loneliness and quality of life

Abstract Background Depression and loneliness can lead to malnutrition in the elderly, while the greater the satisfaction with food, the lower the levels of depression and isolation, improving the quality of life. Analyze the relationship between malnutrition and mental health of the elderly. The rapid growth of the elderly population and, at the same time, the increase in mental health problems, such as depression, which has a high prevalence in the elderly population, demand attention to the quality of life of the elderly. The rapid growth of the elderly population and, at the same time, the increase in mental health problems, such as depression, which has a high prevalence in the elderly population, demand attention to the quality of life of the elderly. Methods Geriatric Depression Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, WHOQOL-OLD and Mini Nutritional Assessment. 33 elderly, mean age 82.67 years (SD = 8.49). Results There is a significant negative correlation (r = -0.542; P = 0.001) between the values of EDGT and MNA, the higher the values of EDGT (more depressed), the lower those of MNA (more malnourished). Adequate nutritional status is related to better ERSLT and QoL values, however the results are not significant. Conclusions There is a significant relationship between malnutrition and an increase in depressive symptoms and, although the results are not significant, an adequate state of nutrition can be related to less sense of loneliness and better quality of life. Nutritional education interventions are justified to improve mental health and quality of life in aging.