Purpose: Despite the high prevalence of visual impairment caused by diabetic retinopathy and nutritional problems among older adults
with diabetes, evidence regarding factors related to nutritional risk in this population is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the
correlates of nutritional risk among older adults with diabetes, focusing on visual impairment. Methods: This study was a secondary data
analysis of the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans aged 65 years and above. The sample comprised 2,376 older adults with diabetes,
and complex sample ANOVA and Rao–Scott chi-square tests were used to compare the groups according to visual impairment. Complex-
sample logistic regression analyses were conducted to verify the association between visual impairment and nutritional risk. Results:
Older adults with diabetes, who also have severe visual impairment, are more likely to have nutritional risk status than those without impairment
after controlling for covariates (odds ratio [OR] = 2.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16~5.13). Among the covariates, depression
(OR = 3.58, 95% CI 2.60~4.94), dependent activities of daily living status (OR = 2.79, 95% CI 1.60~4.86), and experience of hospitalization
during the past year (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.57~4.03) were strongly associated with nutritional risk. Conclusion: Severe visual impairment
increases the nutritional risk among older adults with diabetes. Therefore, it is essential to prevent visual impairment due to exacerbation
of diabetes through appropriate management. Additionally, tailored nutritional interventions for visually impaired older adults with diabetes
that consider visual characteristics are required.