Prevalence Rates of Loneliness and Its Impact on Lifestyle in the Healthy Population of Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Background: The Spanish population presents higher levels of loneliness than citizens of countries in Northern Europe. Numerous studies have linked loneliness to increased morbidity and mortality, but very few studies have associated loneliness with healthy lifestyles. The objectives of this research are to identify the feeling of unwanted loneliness in various age and gender groups in the city of Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain), to determine lifestyle habits in the areas of diet and physical exercise, and to examine the association between lifestyle habits and perceived loneliness. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational and analytical study on the perception of loneliness among men (59.06%) and women (60.06%) in a sample (n = 611) of the general population (N = 198,945), by means of random assignment of a health survey, was conducted. The data were collected using an ad hoc questionnaire. The data were stratified and analyzed with the IBM SSPS® v.25 software package. Results: The frequency of loneliness is stratified by sex and age, and healthy lifestyle habits in terms of diet and physical exercise are analyzed. Conclusions: People with perceived loneliness do not have worse lifestyle habits. However, women living with other people have a higher perception of loneliness than those living alone. Specifically, the perception of loneliness in young adult women could suggest a low level of moderate physical exercise.

Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes

“…Self-reported information on health behaviors was derived from the surveys. These covariates included smoking status (daily smokers, occasional smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers), physical activity (physically active vs physically inactive), weekly alcohol consumption (no intake, low/moderate consumption 1–141–21 drinks/week for women (men) and high consumption >14 (>21) drinks/week for women (men)), and the intake of salad on a weekly basis, which was used as a proxy of dietary habits (every day/several times a day, occasionally, and never/rarely). Further, self-reported height (cm) and weight (kg) were used to calculate respondents’ body mass index (BMI), which was classified as underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal weight (BMI≥18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (BMI≥25–29.9 kg/m 2 ), obesity (BMI≥30–39.9 kg/m 2 ), and severe obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m 2 ).…”

“…The biological pathway is related to metabolic mechanisms increasing the risk of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, both of which are associated with loneliness14 and type 2 diabetes 15. The second pathway suggested is through adverse health behaviors, although research related to loneliness has yielded inconsistent results 8 16–18. Lastly, the third pathway is the psychological pathway.…”

Social relations and health in older people in Spain using SHARE survey data

“…This longevity shown by statistics is redefining the roles and image of older people in many countries, and could be considered as a great challenge for social and health systems, in terms of increase of chronic diseases, dependence and psychosocial consequences, such as loneliness and mental health problems. Loneliness and lack of social support have been found to be high in Spanish older people [ 2 , 3 ]. For example, Tan et al showed that 36,7% of Spanish older people reported loneliness, and Cuesta-Lozano et al found that 83.33% of adults aged 65 years or older reported some degree of loneliness [ 2 , 4 ].…”

“…Loneliness and lack of social support have been found to be high in Spanish older people [ 2 , 3 ]. For example, Tan et al showed that 36,7% of Spanish older people reported loneliness, and Cuesta-Lozano et al found that 83.33% of adults aged 65 years or older reported some degree of loneliness [ 2 , 4 ]. Some cultural aspects (the importance of family and friends and having a close contact with them), have been suggested as an explanation for these figures.…”