Association between depression, functional capacity, cognitive status and the consumption of fruits and vegetables in elderly in Joinville/SC-Brazil

Abstract

The consumption of fruits and vegetables seems to contribute to the prevention and/or delay of depression, cognitive decline and, indirectly, to functional dependence, at the same time that it can be influenced by these clinical conditions. The objective of this study was to verify the association between depression, functional capacity, cognitive status and consumption of fruits and vegetables in elderly people in Joinville-SC. A study with secondary data collection carried out in 2021 that assessed depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale, functional capacity using the PFEFFER Functional Activities Questionnaire, and cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) was quantified using a food frequency questionnaire and was classified according to regularity. A total of 61 elderly were evaluated, of which 23% had depressive symptoms, 18% functional dependence in instrumental activities of daily living, 14.8% cognitive decline. A low frequency of elderly people with regular consumption of vegetables (36.1%), as well as associated fruits and vegetables (29.5%) was identified. On the other hand, the frequency of regular fruit consumption was high (73.8%) and was associated with a lower frequency of depressive symptoms and functional dependence. It was observed that elderly people with depressive symptoms, functional dependence and cognitive decline consumed FV irregularly.