Factors Affecting the Obesity Levels of Older Koreans Living Alone

This study investigated factors related to the obesity levels of older Koreans living alone. It used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Its participants comprised 819 people aged 65 years and older, living alone in Korea. Multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze the factors related to managing obesity at the individual, social, and environmental levels. In the obese group, social interaction was a significant factor on social level, whereas in the overweight group, regular exercise, social interaction, and region were the significant factors at the individual, social, and environmental levels, respectively. It was found that different approaches were needed depending on the level of obesity. In addition, this study identified that it was appropriate to approach the obesity management of older people living alone, in terms of individual, social, and environmental systems, based on the ecological perspective.