Min-Jung Choi1, Yong Gyu Park2, Yang Hyun Kim3, Kyung Hwan Cho3, Ga Eun Nam4. 1. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ygpark@catholic.ac.kr. 3. Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: namgaaa@daum.net.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between frequency of eating together and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 13,920 adults (≥19 years). Data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2014 to 2016. The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions index was used to assess the HRQoL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relation between the frequency of eating together (eating alone, 1 time/d, and ≥2 times/d) and HRQoL. ANALYSIS: ANOVA, correlations, and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A significantly positive association was observed between the frequency of eating together and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions index (P < .001). An increase in the frequency of eating together was associated with decreased odds ratios of having problems in subdimensions (self-care, usual activities, and anxiety or depression; P for trend <.005). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A decreased frequency of eating together is associated with low HRQoL. Additional work is warranted to confirm the association between the frequency of eating together and HRQoL in young adults, aged 19-64 years. Further studies are required to identify whether an intervention to increase the frequency of eating together would improve HRQoL in individuals who usually eat alone.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between frequency of eating together and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 13,920 adults (≥19 years). Data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2014 to 2016. The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions index was used to assess the HRQoL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relation between the frequency of eating together (eating alone, 1 time/d, and ≥2 times/d) and HRQoL. ANALYSIS: ANOVA, correlations, and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A significantly positive association was observed between the frequency of eating together and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions index (P < .001). An increase in the frequency of eating together was associated with decreased odds ratios of having problems in subdimensions (self-care, usual activities, and anxiety or depression; P for trend <.005). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A decreased frequency of eating together is associated with low HRQoL. Additional work is warranted to confirm the association between the frequency of eating together and HRQoL in young adults, aged 19-64 years. Further studies are required to identify whether an intervention to increase the frequency of eating together would improve HRQoL in individuals who usually eat alone.