Characteristics of Eating Alone Affecting the Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of eating alone that influence stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. This study was a cross-sectional survey using the raw data of the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI) conducted in 2015. The survey sampled 7380 adults, of whom 3515 were included in this analysis. The odds of stress were 1.308 times higher in individuals who ate dinner alone than those who ate dinner with others. The odds of having depressive symptoms were 1.711 times and 1.531 times higher in individuals who ate lunch and dinner alone, respectively, than those who ate lunch or dinner with others. The association between eating alone and suicidal ideation was statistically significant only in the simple model. There is a need for interventional programs that can reduce negative relationships of eating alone behaviors for preventing mental health problems.