The more often a person eats alone, the higher their risk of depressive symptoms, according to a new study, with men living alone showing the most pronounced effects.
Solo Dining Accounts for 38% of Depression Risk
According to an analysis by a Chung-Ang University research team published Wednesday in the international journal SSM-Population Health, single-person households are more likely to experience depressive symptoms than multi-person households.
The researchers examined 13,357 adults aged 20 and older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2016, 2018 and 2020. The subjects' ages ranged evenly from those in their 20s to the elderly.
When the researchers analyzed the factors influencing depressive symptoms, the frequency of eating alone had the highest contribution at up to 38.5%. This means the act of eating alone is more directly linked to depression than simply living alone.
People living alone consumed fewer vegetables, fish and fruits, and were more likely to have meals by themselves. Depressive symptoms appeared more frequently in groups with lower-quality diets.
"The act of sharing meals itself can play a role in enhancing emotional stability and a sense of social connection," the researchers said.
Men Living Alone Show Warning Signs Across All Ages
By gender, the differences were more pronounced among men.
Men living alone showed a higher risk of depressive symptoms across all age groups, and their dietary quality was also lower. Compared with women, men's eating habits tended to break down more easily when living alone, and their relationships with friends and acquaintances also tended to fade more quickly. In effect, eating alone brings a deeper sense of isolation to men.
The research team noted that the findings are not meant to problematize the culture of eating alone itself, but rather highlight the need for mental health management strategies in an era when single-person households are rapidly increasing. Single-person households often skip meals or eat poorly due to the hassle of meal preparation, leaving them in an environment where nutritional imbalances and mental health problems can easily accumulate together.
According to Statistics Korea, single-person households accounted for 34.5% of all households in Korea as of 2023, and the share is projected to rise to 40% by 2050. With one in three households already being single-person, the view is gaining traction that the relationship between eating alone and mental health should be seen as a social issue rather than an individual one.
