Psychological effects of generalized nutritional deprivation in the elderly

Abstract

The Minnesota starvation study from the mid 1940s provides convincing evidence that imposed nutritional deprivation and weight loss induce depression, irritability and asociability. Similar findings are recently reported in elderly institutionalized and home-living malnourished populations, although confounding effects of concurring disease cannot be excluded. Several key nutrients influence mood, e.g. carbohydrates, tryptophane, vitamin B 12 , folate, thiamine and iron, and it is reasonable to believe that the detrimental psychological effects of generalized malnutrition are a combined effect of such key nutrient deficiencies. The few nutrition intervention studies in malnourished elderly, using a balanced nutrient supply, report conflicting data on psychological effects.

Nutritional screening and risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients: association to clinical outcome?

“…Studies have formerly described depression as a condition related to nutritional risk. (15,32,33) Two of these studies included a validated clinical depression score. (15,32) These studies, however, did not investigate patient perception of mood and psychological health, and these are conditions that could be clinically relevant to motivate the elderly patients to engage themselves in their own nutritional care.…”

“…(15,32,33) Two of these studies included a validated clinical depression score. (15,32) These studies, however, did not investigate patient perception of mood and psychological health, and these are conditions that could be clinically relevant to motivate the elderly patients to engage themselves in their own nutritional care. (34) It is important to underline that BMI as a sole parameter cannot be used for estimation of nutritional risk.…”

“…Among these, functional capacities, extent of dependency and disability, lack of appetite and cognitive well-being are well known. (2,15,16) Other risk factors as oral health, and extent of medication, have also been investigated, however, not throughout the population of a diversity of hospitalized elderly. The validity of nutritional screening methods and assessment tools has often been evaluated towards clinical outcome goals.…”

Weight loss after head and neck cancer: A dynamic relationship with depressive symptoms

“…Deficiencies in essential macronutrients and micronutrients, individually and collectively, have detrimental effects on mood. 49 Moreover, patients who experience significant nutritional deterioration early in the course of their head and neck cancer could respond to such a rapid decline in physical health with an "existential crisis" characterized by depressed mood and hopelessness. 14 Patients may also have poorer body images in response to nutritional deterioration and early weight loss, and poorer body image after head and neck cancer is associated with higher depressive symptoms across time.…”