Nutritional determinants of health-related quality of life in community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults: Nutritional assessment scores, dietary acid load, and anthropometric measurements

<b>Aim:</b> This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional parameters and health-related quality of life in institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults.<br /> <b>Methods:</b> The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire 65+ were used as nutritional assessment tools. The three-day dietary record was used to determine nutrient intakes and the data were analyzed in the Nutrition Information System, a food analysis software. Anthropometric measurements related to nutritional status were also recorded. The Short-Form-36 (SF-36) health-related quality of life scale was used to assess life quality.<br /> <b>Results:</b> Correlation analysis showed that SF-36 physical component scores were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) and SF-36 mental component scores were positively associated with MNA in community-dwelling older adults. In institutionalized older adults, both SF-36 scores were positively correlated with MNA and muscle mass. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analyses showed that both SF-36 scores were positively associated with MNA and negatively associated with BMI in all participants. However, dietary acid load was not significantly associated with SF-36 scores.<br /> <b>Conclusions:</b> The MNA was almost the only nutritional parameter positively correlated with SF-36 physical and mental component scores. Therefore, it is thought that MNA, a nutritional assessment tool, can also be considered in assessing quality of life.