Association Between Malnutrition and Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Chinese Adults. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Junmin; Fan, Linlin; Zhang, Yuhui; Li, Shirley; Partridge, Jamie; Claytor, Ling; Sulo, Suela
• Is Part Of: Asia-Pacific journal of public health. Volume 30:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: public health nutrition -- nutrition/dietetics -- population health -- heath economics and financing -- health impact assessment -- psychological/behavioral medicine; Public health -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Public health -- Asia -- Periodicals; 362.1095
• DOI: 10.1177/1010539518760632
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-5395

Abstract

Malnutrition and depression are of important concern among older adults. We investigated the association between malnutrition and depression among community-dwelling older Chinese adults and how both affect health care costs. Data from 4916 older adults (age ≥60 years) collected as part of 2013-Wave II China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) survey were analyzed. Measures of body mass index and weight loss were used as indicators of malnutrition. Malnourished subjects were 31% more likely to be depressed than their non-malnourished counterparts (odds ratio = 1.311, P < .1). Health care–related cost was ¥591.8 higher for malnourished older adult per year compared to a non-malnourished counterpart ( P < .1), thus confirming that incidence of depression coupled with malnutrition significantly increases health care–related costs. These results highlight the importance of malnutrition and depression screening and treatment for older Chinese community-dwelling adults, and the importance of community-based nutrition-specific programs that could address the needs of the affected populations.