Eating Together and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Korean Adults

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.

Keywords: mealtime; population; quality of life.