Ryota Sakurai1, Hisashi Kawai2, Hiroyuki Suzuki1, Hunkyung Kim3, Yutaka Watanabe3,4, Hirohiko Hirano3, Kazushige Ihara5, Shuichi Obuchi2, Yoshinori Fujiwara1. 1. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. 2. Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. 3. Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. 4. Gerodontology, Department of Oral Health Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University. 5. Department of Social Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Eating alone is associated with an increased risk of depression symptoms. This association may be confounded by poor social networks. The present study aimed to determine the role of poor social networks in the association of eating alone with depression symptoms, focusing on cohabitation status. METHODS: Seven hundred and ten community-dwelling older adults were categorized according to their eating style and social network size, evaluated using an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale, with poor social network size (defined as the lowest quartile). Living arrangements and depression symptoms, detected using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, were also assessed. RESULTS: A mixed-design two-way analysis of covariance (eating style and social network size factors) for the depression scale score, adjusted by covariates, yielded significant effects of social network size and eating style without interaction. Greater depression scores were observed in eating alone and poor social network size. Analysis of participants living with others showed the same results. However, among older adults living alone, only a significant main effect of social network size was observed; poor social network size resulted in greater depression scores irrespective of eating style. CONCLUSIONS: Poor social network size, and not eating alone, was associated with greater depression symptoms among older adults living alone, whereas both factors may increase depression symptoms among older adults living with others. Poor social network size may show a stronger influence on depression than eating alone in older adults living alone; thus, social network size is an important health indicator.
OBJECTIVES: Eating alone is associated with an increased risk of depression symptoms. This association may be confounded by poor social networks. The present study aimed to determine the role of poor social networks in the association of eating alone with depression symptoms, focusing on cohabitation status. METHODS: Seven hundred and ten community-dwelling older adults were categorized according to their eating style and social network size, evaluated using an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale, with poor social network size (defined as the lowest quartile). Living arrangements and depression symptoms, detected using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, were also assessed. RESULTS: A mixed-design two-way analysis of covariance (eating style and social network size factors) for the depression scale score, adjusted by covariates, yielded significant effects of social network size and eating style without interaction. Greater depression scores were observed in eating alone and poor social network size. Analysis of participants living with others showed the same results. However, among older adults living alone, only a significant main effect of social network size was observed; poor social network size resulted in greater depression scores irrespective of eating style. CONCLUSIONS: Poor social network size, and not eating alone, was associated with greater depression symptoms among older adults living alone, whereas both factors may increase depression symptoms among older adults living with others. Poor social network size may show a stronger influence on depression than eating alone in older adults living alone; thus, social network size is an important health indicator.
Entities:
Keywords:
depression; eating alone; living alone; older adults; social network
Authors: T Hata; S Seino; Y Yokoyama; M Narita; M Nishi; A Hida; S Shinkai; A Kitamura; Y Fujiwara Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2022 Impact factor: 5.285