Association of Nutritional Status with Depression and Cognitive Function of Older Women Residing in Old-age Homes of Kolkata, India

INTRODUCTION: Depression and cognitive function are said to be the foes of the nutritional status of the older adults. Depression is the most common psychological problem in old age, while deterioration of cognitive function is also observed in this age group. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the study is to find out the association of nutritional status with depression and cognitive function of older women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done among 196 older women, residing in old-age homes of Kolkata. Nutritional status of the participants was assessed by the long version of Mini Nutritional Assessment tool (MNA(®)). Level of depression was assessed by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 30). Cognitive function was checked by using the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was calculated using SPSS software. RESULTS: About 38.3% and 14.8% participants were suffering from mild and severe depression. 13.2% and 9.2% older women were found with borderline impairment and impairment in cognitive function, respectively. Significant correlation of nutritional status was found with both depression and cognitive function (P < 0.05), and this was supported by multinominal logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Both depression and impairment in cognitive function can cause malnutrition or vice versa among older women.