Malnutrition is a prevalent issue across the globe since it affects people in every country. It is referred to as deficiencies or excesses in the intake of energy and nutrients. Billions of adults worldwide are either underweight or overweight (World Health Organization, 2016). Also, children are not an exception; children below the age of five are either overweight or obese. Malnutrition is dangerous for when the body lacks essential nutrients; an individual can suffer from a severe condition that might lead to death. Most women of the reproductive age are suffering from as a result of a lack of iron in their bodies. Malnutrition has become a menace since most families cannot afford to buy proper food. The elderly are also affected by malnutrition. According to the Tromso study, it is evident that many older adults are affected by malnutrition. Mental health issues in the elderly are linked to malnutrition.
Depression affects the nutritional standards in older adults. Depression affects the appetite, the food intake, and the bodyweight of older adults. The psychopharmacological and biological changes that occur as a result of depression depict the mechanism in which the appetite is affected. Depression causes the alteration in how neurotransmitters are released in the cerebral neurons, which are attributed to symptoms medical practitioners encounter in patients suffering from depression (World Health Organization, 2016). The low production of serotonin and the changes in the release of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, thalamic, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and hippocampi cause a depressed mood, changes in appetite and sleeping habits, and cognitive disturbance in the older adults suffering from depression. There is a strong link between the body and the mind. Since depression affects older patients, they might overeat or fail to eat, resulting in malnutrition. The geriatric population is prone to atrophic inflammation that affects the stomach; this condition causes malabsorption, which leads to malnutrition.
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The food that the elderly eat can destroy or improve their mental health. The food that is meant to improve the patient's mood should be included in their diet since their deficiency can lead to malnutrition (Al-Rasheed et al., 2018). Carbohydrates play a significant role in the alteration of moods in an individual. Food that is rich in carbohydrates can improve a person's mood since it stimulates the release of insulin, which sends glucose to the body's cells, thus increasing body activity. Carbohydrates also trigger the release of tryptophan, which is useful in the production of neurotransmitter synthesis in the brain. Diets that are low in carbohydrates can lead to the development of depression (World Health Organization, 2016). Also, food that is rich in protein is essential for the enhancement of mood. Proteins are a source of amino acids. Amino acids, such as tyrosine, are vital for it aids the synthesis of dopamine. Tryptophan is a vital amino acid, for it enables the production of serotonin.
Malnutrition is a pandemic that has affected the lives of many people, including older adults. This condition is linked to mental problems such as depression. Depression affects the nutritional standards of the elderly (Kvamme et al., 2011). Depression affects appetite; a patient may overeat or eat less; the effect on appetite can lead to malnutrition, for one may get excesses or deficiency of certain nutrients required for the proper functioning of the body. Also, food is responsible for the enhancement of mood. Food that contains high levels of carbohydrates is good since they cause the production of glucose in the body cells, thus increasing body activity. Diets that are low in carbohydrates can lead to depression. Including food that rich in carbohydrates in the diets of older adults is beneficial for their mental health.
References
Al-Rasheed, R., Alrasheedi, R., Al Johani, R., Alrashidi, H., Almaimany, B., & Alshalawi, B. et al. (2018). Malnutrition in elderly and its relation to depression. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health , 5 (6), 2156-2159. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20181974
Kvamme, J., Grønli, O., Florholmen, J., & Jacobsen, B. (2011). Risk of malnutrition is associated with mental health symptoms in community living elderly men and women: The Tromsø Study. BMC Psychiatry , 1-8. Retrieved 11 June 2020, from.
World Health Organization. (2016). What is malnutrition? . World Health Organization. Retrieved 11 June 2020, from https://www.who.int/features/qa/malnutrition/en/.
