Association of Lower Nutritional Status and Education Level with the Severity of Depression Symptoms in Older Adults-A Cross Sectional Survey

The study analyzes the relationship between nutritional status and depression symptoms severity in the older population. A total of 1975 older outpatients (1457 women and 518 men, median age 75) were included in the study. Depression symptoms severity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Participants were divided into two subgroups according to GDS score. Group A: 0-5 points-without depression symptoms (1237, W:898, M:339), and group B: 6-15 points-with depression symptoms (738, W:559, M:179). The nutritional status of the patients was assessed with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and basic anthropometric variables (waist, hips, calf circumferences, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR)). Education years and chronic diseases were also noted. Women with higher depression symptoms severity had significantly lower MNA scores [A: 26.5 (24-28) (median (25%-75% quartiles)) vs. B:23 (20.5-26)], shorter education time [A:12 (8-16) vs. B:7 (7-12)], smaller calf circumference [A:36 (33-38) vs. B: 34 (32-37)], and higher WHtR score [A:57.4 (52.3-62.9) vs. B:58.8 (52.1-65.6)]. Men with depression symptoms had lower MNA scores [A:26.5 (24.5-28) vs. B:24 (20.5-26.5)], shorter education [A:12 (9.5-16), B:10 (7-12)], and smaller calf circumference [A:37 (34-39), B:36 (33-38)]. In the model of stepwise multiple regression including age, years of education, anthropometric variables, MNA and concomitant diseases nutritional assessment, and education years were the only independent variables predicting severity of depression symptoms both in women and men. Additionally, in the female group, odds were higher with higher WHtR. Results obtained in the study indicate a strong relationship between proper nutritional status and education level with depression symptoms severity in older women and men.

Automated summary

The study found that in older women, more severe depression symptoms were associated with poorer nutritional status, shorter education time, smaller calf circumference, and higher WHtR score. In older men, more severe depression symptoms were linked with worse nutritional status, shorter education time, and smaller calf circumference. Nutritional assessment and education years were the main predicting factors for depression severity in both genders, with higher WHtR associated with higher odds in women.