Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition, diet quality, and dietary intake and frailty, sarcopenia, low physical function, and depression in the elderly. The Edmonton Frailty Scale, Sarcopenia Rapid Screening Test, Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale for the Elderly, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment- Short Form, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence score scales were administered to all study participants (n=695) to determine frailty, sarcopenia, physical status, depression status, nutritional status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Participants' dietary acid load was assessed using the Potential Renal Acid Load and Net Endogenous Acid Production indicators. Women had significantly higher levels of frailty and sarcopenia compared to men (p<0.05). Frailty and sarcopenia status were correlated with each other, and it was observed that GDS scores increased significantly while KATZ scores decreased as their severity increased (p<0.05). MNA and MEDAS scores correlated with the EFS (r=-0.508, p=0.000; r=-0.084, p=0.027, respectively), SARC-F (r=-0.358, p=0.000; r=-0.126; p=0.001, respectively), GDS (r=-0.397, p=0.000, r=-0,243, p=0,000, respectively), while KATZ and MNA (r=0,439) were found to be positively correlated with energy (r=0,133) and protein (r=0,119) intake (p<0,05). As the PRAL score increased, the GDS (r=-0.082; p=0.031), the SARC-F (r=-0.087; p=0.022), and the EFS (r=-119, p=0.002) decreased significantly. Each 1-unit increase in the MNA score caused a decrease of 0.857, 0.431, and 1.201 units in the EFS, SARF-C, and GDS, respectively, and an increase of 0.190 units in the KATZ. Malnutrition status is positively associated with frailty, sarcopenia, low physical activity, and depression.