Factors Associated with Eating Alone in Korean Adults: Findings from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2014

Song, Eun Gyoung; Yoon, Yeong Sook; Yang, Yun Jun; Lee, Eon Sook; Lee, Jun Hyung; Lee, Ji Yeon; Park, Won Jin; Park, Sae Young

doi:10.21215/kjfp.2017.7.5.698

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The results showed that both men and women who ate meals less frequently with others were more likely to be depressed. This result differs from that of previous studies, in which commensality had a strong association with depression only among men [ 33 ]. Also, we found that commensality was significantly associated with depression and suicidal ideation for the 20–29 year old age group, in contrast with previous studies that only found these associations among older adults [ 24 , 34 – 36 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to research that found that commensality with family members has a positive effect on mental health [ 24 , 33 ], this study also found that people in multi-person households who ate meals alone were more likely to be depressed and have suicidal ideation. Owing to the small sample size and the fact that the proportion of single-person households was only 10%, the relationship between commensality and mental health was insignificant among single-person households.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

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Association between commensality with depression and suicidal ideation of Korean adults: the sixth and seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013, 2015, 2017

Son

Jang

et al. 2020

Nutr J

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Objectives This study investigated whether commensality (eating a meal with others) is associated with mental health (depression, suicidal ideation) in Korean adults over 19 years old. Methods Our study employed data from the sixth and seventh Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (KNHANES) for 2013, 2015, and 2017. The study population consisted of 14,125 Korean adults (5854 men and 8271 women). In this cross-sectional study, data were analyzed with the Rao-Scott chi-square test and multiple logistic regression to evaluate the association between commensality(0[includes skipping meals] to 3 times eating meals together) and both depression and suicidal ideation using select questions from the Mental Health Survey. By setting socioeconomic factors, health conditions, and behavioral factors as confounders, we conducted a subgroup analysis to reveal the effect on depression and suicidal ideation commensality. Results Commensality was significantly associated with depression and suicidal ideation (p < 0.05). In both sexes, people who ate fewer meals together had poorer mental health. In a subgroup analysis, we revealed greater odds of developing depression in men when living in rural areas and belonging to low-income groups. In contrast, greater odds of suicidal ideation in men who ate alone when living in the city and belonging to high-income groups. On the other hand, Women in every region had greater odds of being depressed if they ate alone. And greater odds of suicidal ideation in women who ate alone when living in the city and belonging to medium-high income groups. Conclusions Our analysis confirmed that Korean adults with lower chance of commensality had greater risk of developing depression and suicidal ideation. And it could be affected by individuals’ various backgrounds including socioeconomic status. As a result, to help people with depression and prevent a suicidal attempt, this study will be baseline research for social workers, educators and also policy developers to be aware of the importance of eating together.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Association between commensality with depression and suicidal ideation of Korean adults: the sixth and seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013, 2015, 2017

Son

Jang

et al. 2020

Nutr J

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“…The number of one-person households increased from 2.22 million (15.5% of the Korean population) in 2000 to 5.62 million (28.6% of the population) in 2017 [ 4 ]. One of 4 elderly Koreans aged 65 years old or above were reported to have eaten alone during the last year [ 5 ]; moreover, one-person households were more likely than multi-person households to eat alone [ 6 7 ]. Consequently, the number of ‘solo eaters’ is expected to increase in concert with the demographic changes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender and age group differences in nutrition intake and dietary quality of Korean adults eating alone: based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2013–2016

et al. 2021

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study investigated gender and age differences in nutrient intake and dietary quality of people eating alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS From Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016 data, 2,305 adults aged 20 years and older that ate meals alone were included in this study. Their energy and nutrients intakes, as well as their nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were analyzed. Food group consumption pattern, dietary variety score (DVS), dietary diversity score (DDS) were also analyzed. All data were compared among gender and age groups. RESULTS Men consumed more energy and nutrients than women, except for vitamin C, and the NARs showed similar gender differences. The INQs of 4 nutrients (calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and riboflavin) were lower than 1.0 in men, whereas only the calcium INQ was lower than 1.0 in women. Men had a lower DDS (3.6) than women (3.9) ( P < 0.001) and had more ‘undesirable’ food group consumption patterns than women ( P < 0.001). The intakes of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were relatively low in the young-aged group (INQs less than 1.0). In the old-aged group, the MAR level was relatively low, and the INQs of calcium, riboflavin, and niacin were below 1.0. The old-aged group consumed more menu items, but their DVS was the lowest. CONCLUSIONS Compared to women, the dietary quality and food diversity among men were poorer. There were poorer quality and diversity patterns in the young-aged group compared to those of the older groups. An overall low intake of nutrients and the low nutrient density of meals were the main dietary problems among the old-aged group who eat alone. Therefore, men, particularly young- and old-aged, need to be prioritized in nutritional policies directed toward those who eat alone.

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“…In the present study, age, education, income, occupation, number of family members in a household, household generation types, and marital status were significantly associated with patterns of eating alone in both men and women. In a study investigating various factors for eating alone for dinner among Korean adults [ 13 ], the authors found that age group, living arrangement, household income, having a spouse, and education level were all significantly associated with having a dinner companion. Specifically, the study found that men aged 50 years or older, with no spouse, smokers, and with a low self-care level had all significantly higher rates of eating alone for dinner.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In previous studies, Korean university students [ 8 ] and Japanese men [ 9 ] who eat alone compared to those who eat with others were more likely to display unhealthy eating behaviors such as high consumption of fast foods. Increased risks for depression or depressive symptoms were observed in Japanese [ 10 , 11 ] and Chinese older adults [ 12 ] who eat alone, and a lower quality of life as measured by the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) was found in Korean adult men who eat alone compared to those who eat with a companion [ 13 ]. In a nationwide Thai Cohort Study, feeling unhappiness was significantly associated with frequent eating alone [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Alone is Differentially Associated with the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Men and Women

Kim

Chung

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Few studies have examined overall patterns of eating alone in relation to the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean populations. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between patterns of eating alone and the risk of MetS in Korean adults. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for 2013–2015 were used, with 8988 Korean adult participants, including 3624 men and 5364 women, aged 18 to 64 years. Patterns of eating alone were categorized into eight groups based on the total frequency of eating alone on a daily basis in the past one year: (1) three times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; (2) twice for breakfast and dinner; (3) twice for lunch and dinner; (4) twice for breakfast and lunch; (5) once for breakfast only; (6) once for lunch only; (7) once for dinner only; and (8) never eating alone. The presence of MetS has been defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between patterns of eating alone versus the risk of MetS after controlling for age, income, occupation, number of family members, generation types, marital status, smoking status, and physical activity. The prevalence of MetS was the highest in men and women aged 40–64 who had breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone (50.1% and 36.8%, respectively). Men who had dinner alone or lunch and dinner alone compared with those who eat with others had a significantly higher risk of MetS, with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 1.51, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.06–2.16; and an AOR of 1.54, with a 95% CI of 1.05–2.25, respectively. Women who had breakfast alone compared with those who ate with others had a significantly lower risk of MetS (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53–0.94). In conclusion, patterns of eating alone are differentially associated with the risk of MetS in a representative sample of Korean adults. Future studies are warranted to identify dietary patterns across the different eating alone patterns in relation to various health outcomes in Korean adult populations.

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Factors Associated with Eating Alone in Korean Adults: Findings from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2014

Cited by 20 publications

References 18 publications

Association between commensality with depression and suicidal ideation of Korean adults: the sixth and seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013, 2015, 2017

Association between commensality with depression and suicidal ideation of Korean adults: the sixth and seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013, 2015, 2017

Gender and age group differences in nutrition intake and dietary quality of Korean adults eating alone: based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2013–2016

Eating Alone is Differentially Associated with the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Men and Women

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