eng Enviro Research Publishers Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal 2347-467X 2322-0007 2026-05-19 14 Special Issue Sustainable Nutrition February 2026 26208 article Mosi Khalfan Machano 1 Clara Justine Mollay 1 Emmanuel Abraham Mpolya 2 Elingarami Sauli 2 Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania Department of Global Health and Bio-Medical Sciences, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania Micronutrient deficiencies and depression are prevalent issues among older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between depressive symptoms and micronutrient status in the Zanzibar population.A total of 245 respondents from Zanzibar’s urban municipality were randomly selected. The Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form was used to determine depression levels. In contrast, plasma levels of zinc and vitamin C were assessed via an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and a UV/Vis/IR spectrophotometer, respectively. Data analysis included univariate, bivariate, and multivariate (using modified Poisson regression) methods. Depression prevalence was 32.65%, with zinc deficiency at 78.37% and vitamin C deficiency at 28.98%. A significant association was found between low zinc levels and depression (APR = 6.931, p = 0.0019), no association was noted for vitamin C. Additional factors linked to depression included low education, adverse life events, and moderate social support. This study highlights the importance of zinc in mental health among older adults in Zanzibar, underscoring the need for cohort and clinical trial research. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/vol14nospl-issue-sustainable-nutrition-2026/micronutrient-status-and-psychosocial-risk-factors-associated-with-depressive-symptoms-among-the-elderly-in-zanzibar/ Elderly population Geriatric Depression Tanzania-Zanzibar Vitamin C Zinc