Systematic Review of the Impact of Nutritional Support on the Mental Health and Quality of Life of Dependent Older Adults

Abstract

Population aging has significantly increased the number of older adults in situations of dependency, where they are more vulnerable to mental health problems and a decline in quality of life. Several studies have suggested that nutritional support could play a key role in improving these aspects. This study aimed to analyze the current scientific findings regarding how nutritional interventions influence mental well-being and life quality in elderly individuals with dependency. Following PRISMA methodology, literature was retrieved from internationally recognized bibliographic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies that analyzed nutritional interventions aimed at dependent older adults with results related to mental health and/or quality of life were included. A total of 23 studies satisfying all inclusion standards were selected for the analysis. Most reported positive effects of nutritional interventions on mood, depressive symptoms, and/or perceived quality of life, although there was heterogeneity in the designs and measures used. Nutritional support may represent an effective strategy for improving mental health and quality of life in dependent older adults. However, further research with robust designs and standardized measures is needed to strengthen the available evidence.