Abstract
Background
Eating together has been associated with positive outcomes in older adults, such as better dietary habits and greater happiness. However, its broader impact on health and well-being remains unclear, particularly regarding whether higher frequencies are always better.
Methods
We used data (2016, 2019, 2022) from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), a nationwide longitudinal study of functionally independent adults aged 65+ years. Frequency of eating together was assessed in 2019 and categorized into five groups: eating alone (reference), a few times/year, a few times/month, a few times/week, and every day. In 2022, we assessed 40 outcomes across seven domains: (1) happiness and life satisfaction, (2) mental and physical health, (3) meaning and purpose, (4) character and virtue, (5) close social relationships, (6) health behaviors, and (7) cognitive/social capital. We analyzed a cohort dataset of 56,153 participants and a panel dataset of 41,758. Regressions (linear, modified Poisson, or logistic) were used based on outcome type, adjusting for 2016 covariates and prior outcome values. Bonferroni correction (p = 0.00125; 0.05/40) was applied.
Results
Compared to eating alone, eating together was generally associated with better health and well-being outcomes across seven domains, with significant associations observed for 28 of the 40 outcomes assessed (70.0%). These associations were evident even at low frequencies, such as a few times/year (e.g., mortality), and more consistently at frequencies of a few times/month or more-particularly in outcomes related to mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms) and social relationships (e.g., frequency of meeting friends).
Conclusions
Eating together is associated with a wide range of health and well-being benefits in later life. Promoting opportunities for older adults to engage in eating together-even occasionally-may represent a practical and effective strategy to support healthy aging.
Key messages
• Eating together is positively associated with better health and well-being in older adults.
• Even infrequent eating together is beneficial, with more consistent associations observed at frequencies of a few times/month or more.