Associations between Living Alone and Smoking and Alcohol Consumption in Korean Adults

Abstract

Background: Recently, single-person households have increased in Korea and this trend may have potential public health implications and affect various health behaviors. This study investigated the associations between living alone and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption among Korean adults. Methods: We used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2015 and a total of 17,088 adults were included. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Single-person households accounted for about 10% of the total participants. The proportions of currently smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were higher among individuals living alone than those living together among younger women and middle-aged and elderly men and women. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, living alone was associated with increased odds of currently smoking compared to living together among middle-aged men and women (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 2.33-23.32 in men and OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.04-5.36 in women) after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion: From this nationwide, population-based study, we found that living alone is associated with increased odds of currently smoking, especially in middle-aged people. Public health concerns may be warranted for middleaged single-person households to reduce health risks related to smoking.

Living alone and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Firstly, the association might not be causal, but rather because younger adults who live alone have greater exposure to vascular factors, such as smoking, drinking, eating salty foods, lower consumption of some core foods groups (vegetables, fruits, and seafood) and physical inactivity. 39 , 40 Compared to older adults who lived alone, younger adults living alone had higher proportions of smoking 41 and lower vegetables intake. 42 In comparison to those to those living with others, older adults who live alone may be physically healthier.…”

“…It it also possible that living alone has a causal relation with mortality. Individuals who live with others may gain more encouragement to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and this may be more important in younger individuals 41 , 42 and in males. 39 , 45 Further, individuals who live with others may get faster contact with medical services and first aid help in the event of illness, though it seems implausible that this factor would differ by age or sex.…”

Living Alone Is Not Associated With Cardiovascular Events and Hypoglycemia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Smokers living alone were more likely to develop MACEs because smokers living alone smoked more cigarettes than those living with others ( 19 ). Complex factors associated with living alone may explain why recent studies have reported discordant results regarding the outcomes of patients who live alone.…”

Efficacy of Forest-Thermal Combined Therapy for Anxiety and Stress among Smoking-Cessation Attempters

“…It has been reported that stress acts as a major determinant of the incidence and frequency of smoking [32]. Stress is often cited as the main factor that drives adolescents to attempt smoking [33], and mood improvement, that is, stress reduction, is cited as the main reason for smoking [34].…”