The Association Between Nutritional Status, Diet Quality, and Sleep Quality Among the Elderly in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The percentage of the elderly population has increased worldwide. It has been estimated that environmental factors such as eating habits, sleep quality, and physical activity could be responsible for up to 75% of the aging process. Aims: To assess the nutritional status, diet quality, and sleep quality among the elderly in Jordanian. Methods: In a cross-sectional study targeting the Jordanian elderly, 426 participants agreed to participate. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measures, mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) were measured. Results: The mean and standard deviation were 10.7 ± 2.7 for the total MNA-SF score, 5.4 ± 1.8 for MEDAS, and 8.9 ± 4.2 for the global PSQI score. Most participants had normal nutrition status (43.9%) or were at risk of malnutrition (43.2%), 75.8% had poor sleeping quality, and 52.6% had poor MEDAS. There was a significant positive weak correlation between MNA-SF and MEDAS (r = 0.100, p=0.038) as well as the global PSQI score (r = 0.285, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a significant weak inverse association between MNA-SF and BMI (r = - 0.196, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Jordanian elderly had poor MEDAS adherence and poor sleeping quality, and this was correlated to an increased risk of malnutrition.

Keywords: MEDAS; MNA-SF; Mediterranean diet; malnutrition; older adults; sleep quality.

Figure 1

The prevalence of (a) nutritional status assessment (MNA-SF); (b) Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI); and (c) the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS).