The Influence of Social Isolation on the Preventive Behaviors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between one’s physical status related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and social isolation, and to identify lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of NCDs associated with social isolation among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate lifestyle behaviors for NCD prevention associated with social isolation in Japanese adults aged 60 years and above in a community setting. Out of 57 participants, 17.5% were not socially participative, 66.7% hardly ever, 29.8% sometimes, and 3.5% often felt loneliness. Non-social participation and loneliness were negatively related to the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Additionally, loneliness was positively associated with one’s duration of smoking and current smoking habits, and negatively associated with the frequency of moderate-intensity activities, with marginal significance. Those with non-social participation or loneliness were less likely to eat a healthy diet and live a smoke-free lifestyle. The findings of this study suggest that a mutual health support system in the community and the development of community-based approaches for the prevention of NCDs among Japanese older adults are needed.

Characterizing Healthy Dietary Practices in Japan: Insights from a 2024 Nationwide Survey and Cluster Analysis

“…These findings indicate that individuals experiencing a lack of social involvement were less inclined towards adopting a healthy diet. This relationship may be partially explained by the mechanism where social networks and communal activities, particularly in cultures valuing group harmony like Japan, enhance motivation for healthy behaviours through mutual support and shared values [35,36]. These insights complement our findings by underscoring the importance of addressing social isolation and promoting communal dining experiences as part of dietary interventions, particularly in aging societies like Japan.…”

“…For example, Sakurai's (2021) study, which explored the association between dining alone, weak social networks, and depression among older Japanese individuals residing alone, highlights the significant impact of social connections on food choices and mental health [20]. Yamaguchi et al (2020) also studied the older adults in Japan and found that a lack of social participation was inversely related to the frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption [35]. These findings indicate that individuals experiencing a lack of social involvement were less inclined towards adopting a healthy diet.…”

The Smiles of Older People through Recreational Activities: Relationship between Smiles and Joy

“…This frequency could be affected by the location of the video camera; however, there could also be participants who did not experience joy from the recreational activity because they had become used to being alone and were struggling to connect with other participants [ 31 ]. As society becomes more diverse and various individuals become part of the same communities, recreational activities can be adjusted to the various needs of older people [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Social isolation is one of the significant challenges faced by rural communities [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Association between social network and dietary variety among community-dwelling older adults

“…Research suggests that social networks could be related to health outcomes through several pathways, including their influence on health-related behavioural patterns such as smoking, alcohol use or medical help-seeking ( 10 , 11 ) . However, limited studies have investigated the relationship between social networks and dietary habits among older adults ( 12 , 13 ) .…”