Relationship between Eating Alone and Poor Appetite Using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Malnutrition is often linked to poor appetite.
• An increasing number of older adults in Japan live alone and may eat alone.
• Eating alone may negatively impact appetite in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between eating alone and poor appetite in older adults.
• To utilize the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) to assess appetite.
• To identify factors associated with poor appetite in the elderly population.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in 2016 involving 818 individuals aged 70 and over in Tokyo, Japan.
• Participants were categorized into a poor appetite group (n=295) and a good appetite group (n=523).
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant associations.

Main Results:

• The poor appetite group exhibited a significantly higher rate of eating alone compared to the good appetite group (38.0% vs. 20.1%, p < 0.001).
• Poor appetite was significantly associated with higher Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores, increased medication use, and eating alone.
• Conversely, a higher JST score and self-rated "very healthy" status were associated with a good appetite.

Conclusions:

• Eating alone is a significant factor associated with poor appetite in older adults.
• Interventions addressing social isolation and promoting communal dining may help improve appetite in the elderly.
• Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms linking social factors to appetite regulation in aging populations.