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Depression, nutritional risk and eating behaviour in older caregivers

journal contribution
posted on 2010-06-01, 00:00 authored by Susan TorresSusan Torres, M McCabe, Caryl NowsonCaryl Nowson
Objective
This study investigated the relationship between depression, nutritional risk and dietary intake in a population of older caregivers.

Design
Mailed questionnaire with sub group participating in a home-based interview.

Participants and setting
Seventy-six community dwelling caregivers aged 50 y or over from Victoria, Australia.

Measurements

Questionnaires provided information on weight, height, hours of care, depressive symptoms, nutritional risk and appetite. The home-based interview assessed dietary intake and shopping, cooking and meal consumption habits.

Results

The sample had a mean±SD age of 70.3±12.8 y, BMI of 27.2±4.8 kg/m2 and the time spent caring was 101.8±68.1 h/wk. Overall, 32% of caregivers had depressive symptoms, 21% were at risk of malnutrition and 21% reported their appetite was fair/bad/very bad. Caregivers with depressive symptoms (32%) compared to those with no depressive symptoms (53%) had a poorer appetite (p<0.05). Of the 20 caregivers who participated in the home interview, 25% reported they ate their meals alone.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of community dwelling older caregivers had depressive symptoms, were at risk of malnutrition and had poor appetites, although the majority were overweight or obese.

History

Journal

Journal of nutrition, health and aging

Volume

14

Issue

6

Pagination

442 - 448

Publisher

Springer

Location

New York, N. Y.

ISSN

1279-7707

eISSN

1760-4788

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2010, Springer

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