Association between eating alone and depressive symptom in elders: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Public Health
• Social Gerontology

Background:

• Depression is a significant health concern in the elderly, leading to adverse outcomes.
• The issue of elderly individuals eating alone is growing in China due to societal changes.
• The relationship between eating alone and depression in older adults remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between mealtime companionship and depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults.
• To explore the independent effect of eating alone on depressive symptoms, considering living arrangements.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage cluster sampling strategy was employed in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2014.
• Data from 7,968 cognitively normal residents aged 60 and above were analyzed.
• Multilevel logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between eating arrangements and depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

• 17.1% of the elderly participants reported eating alone, and 8.7% exhibited depressive symptoms.
• A significant inverse association was found between the number of mealtime companions and depressive symptoms (OR=1.12 for females, OR=1.16 for 60-74 years).
• Eating alone, particularly when living with others, was independently associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms (OR=1.62 for females, OR=1.59 for 60-74 years).

Conclusions:

• Lack of companionship during meals is independently linked to geriatric depressive symptoms, especially in females and older adults aged 60-74.
• Eating alone appears to be a more significant factor for depressive symptoms than living alone.
• Interventions promoting communal dining for elders, particularly females and those aged 60-74, are recommended.