Abstract

Malnutrition is the root of numerous complications ranging from physical disability to mental health problems like depression. Depending on the intensity, depression can lead to emotional fluctuations, even suicidal attempts. Geriatric health in a country like Bangladesh is often ignored, although they are a growing segment of society. This community-based cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of depression and malnutrition in the elderly to evaluate the relationship between depression and malnutrition. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to determine nutritional status, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess depression. About 84% of the participants showed a different array of depression symptoms. The rate of malnutrition and depression is higher among the male participants. Being malnourished (OR: 4.05, 95% CI: 2.79–5.87) and people are at risk of malnutrition (OR:1.67, 95% CI:1.24–2.24) had a significantly higher risk of suffering from depression. Maintaining a good physical state, a healthy lifestyle, and a supportive family environment are among the factors that can reduce depression in the elderly population. Therefore, to fight depression, specific programs and targeted interventions focusing on physical and mental stability for the elderly at the community level can enhance awareness at the individual and family levels.

5. Conclusion

The results indicate a strong association between depression and malnutrition in the elderly population, although there is an ambiguity regarding their causality. Therefore, specific programs to address geriatric malnutrition should be incorporated into the existing healthcare policy to mitigate depression-related mental health problems.