Work

Nutritional risk and life satisfaction in older adults: a cross-sectional analysis using the NUFFE-TR scale

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional risk and life satisfaction in community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted with 779 adults aged ≥ 65 years. Nutritional status was assessed using the Turkish version of the Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE-TR), a 12-item screening tool (score range: 0–24) where higher scores indicate greater malnutrition risk. Life satisfaction was evaluated using the 20-item Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) (score range: 0–20), with higher scores indicating better life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. Life satisfaction was negatively correlated with NUFFE-TR scores ( r = − 0.47, p < 0.001). In the regression model, higher nutritional risk significantly predicted lower life satisfaction (β = − 0.341, 95% CI: − 0.438 to − 0.294, p < 0.001). Age, BMI, and NUFFE-TR collectively explained 12.7% of the variance in life satisfaction (R2 = 0.127). Higher nutritional risk may be associated with lower life satisfaction in older adults. Incorporating nutritional screening into geriatric care may support early detection and promote healthy aging, although longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causality.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-08343-4

Authors: Emine Merve Ekici, Pınar Göbel, Neslihan Arslan

Institution: Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition and Health in Aging

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190