Abstract
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.