Does eating with others promote happiness among older adults living alone? A 3‐year longitudinal study of the Japan gerontological evaluation study

Wang, Hequn; Tsuji, Taishi; Ide, Kazushige; Nakagomi, Atsushi; Ling, Ling; Kondo, Katsunori

doi:10.1002/gps.6033

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…The previous studies have reported that eating alone is associated with adverse health outcomes in older adults. Eating alone increases the risk of depressive symptoms [ 43 , 44 ], and the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study reported that a higher frequency of eating with others resulted in happiness in older adults [ 45 ]. In older women, eating alone has been associated with angina [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Eating Alone and Handgrip Strength in Korean Older Adults

Yoo,

Song,

Park

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Sarcopenia is defined as an age-related decline in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Eating alone has been linked to various health issues in older adults. This study investigated the relationship between eating alone and handgrip strength (HGS) in older adults using data from 7278 individuals (≥65 years) who participated in the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HGS was measured using a digital grip strength dynamometer, relative HGS was calculated by dividing HGS by body mass index, and dynapenia was defined as an HGS < 28 kg for men and <18 kg for women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that women who ate two meals alone were more likely to exhibit dynapenia than those who never ate alone (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.77). If the groups that never ate alone or ate one meal alone were combined as the reference group, the probability of dynapenia was higher in the combined groups that ate two or three meals alone (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04–1.50). No association was observed between eating alone and dynapenia in men. This suggests that eating alone is a modifiable related factor of dynapenia in older women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Eating Alone and Handgrip Strength in Korean Older Adults

Yoo,

Song,

Park

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Association between the incidence of functional disability and frequency of eating together among older adults living alone: a 6-year follow-up study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study

Shimizu,

Ikeda,

Miyaguni

et al. 2024

Age and Ageing

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Objective This study aimed to determine whether the frequency of eating together is associated with the incidence of functional disability in older adults who live alone. Methods This 6-year observational prospective cohort study utilised self-reported questionnaires. Data were drawn from the participants of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study project between 2016 and 2022. The participants were independent older adults aged ≥65 years living alone in Japan. The primary outcome was the incidence of functional disability during the follow-up period, with the self-reported frequency of eating together serving as the explanatory variable. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models after adjusting for confounders associated with incident functional disability. Results Among the 7167 participants, the mean age at baseline was 75.3 ± 6.5 years and 69.2% were female. About, 12.8% of participants (n = 917) developed functional disabilities during the observation period. The incidence rates were 11.7% for ‘every day’, 11.3% for ‘several times a week’, 11.5% for ‘several times a month’, 12.7% for ‘several times a year’ and 19.0% for ‘seldom’. The frequency of eating together ‘seldom’ was significantly associated with an increased incidence of functional disability (HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.10–2.18). Conclusion Among older adults living alone, infrequent eating together (‘seldom’) was identified as a risk factor for developing functional disability.

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Public assistance program and food diversity among older people: a cross-sectional study using the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study data Subheadings: Public assistance program and food diversity

Tanaka,

Nishioka,

Nakagomi

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Food diversity plays an important role in people’s healthy and affluent lives. However, poverty and eating alone can create multi-dimensional barriers to their food diversity. Although public assistance programs guarantee a minimum income to those in need, financial support alone may not be sufficient to support the health of people in poverty. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Japanese Gerontological Evaluation Study (2022), involving 14,467 participants aged 65 and older. The Dietary Variety Score (DVS), ranging from 0 to 10 (higher scores indicate higher dietary variety), assessed dietary diversity based on the regular consumption of ten food groups. Receiving public assistance was categorized as “yes” or “no.” Eating together was defined as eating with others every day. To assess the relationship between receiving public assistance and the dietary variety score, we calculated the unstandardized coefficient (β) and p values using a general linear model. Additionally, the interaction between public assistance and eating together was examined. As covariates, we adjusted for sociodemographic factors such as age, disease, marital status, and living alone. Results Men recipients of public assistance had lower DVS, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (adjusted β: -0.72, p = 0.04). For women, there was no association between receiving public assistance and lower DVS (adjusted β: -0.19, p = 0.66). There tended to be an interaction toward a higher DVS by public assistance and eating together among only men (p = 0.07). Conclusions Even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, men recipients of public assistance have less food diversity than non-recipients. Men recipients were more likely to increase their food diversity by eating together. To ensure recipients’ rights to food security, the public assistance program may be effective in providing additional support to integrate recipients into communities that enable them to eat together in addition to financial support.

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Does eating with others promote happiness among older adults living alone? A 3‐year longitudinal study of the Japan gerontological evaluation study

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Relationship between Eating Alone and Handgrip Strength in Korean Older Adults

Relationship between Eating Alone and Handgrip Strength in Korean Older Adults

Association between the incidence of functional disability and frequency of eating together among older adults living alone: a 6-year follow-up study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study

Public assistance program and food diversity among older people: a cross-sectional study using the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study data Subheadings: Public assistance program and food diversity

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