Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture (한국식생활문화학회지)

Korean Society of Food Culture (한국식생활문화학회)
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Association of Eating Alone Behaviors with Mental Health Conditions in Korean Adolescents: Data from the 2015-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

한국 청소년의 혼밥 형태와 정신건강의 연관성 연구: 2015-2019년 국민건강영양조사 자료를 활용하여

  • Dayeon, Shin (Department of Food and Nutrition, Inha University) ;
  • Kyung Won, Lee (Department of Home Economics Education, Korea National University of Education)
  • 신다연 (인하대학교 식품영양학과) ;
  • 이경원 (한국교원대학교 가정교육과)
  • Received : 2023.01.30
  • Accepted : 2023.02.14
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

In this study, we aimed to explore whether eating alone is associated with mental health conditions in Korean adolescents. The data of 2,012 Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2019. Participants were classified into three groups based on the frequency of eating alone: none (all meals with others); 1 meal/day alone; and ≥2 meals/day alone. Mental health conditions were assessed based on stress recognition, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of poor mental health conditions according to the frequency of eating alone. Adolescents who ate ≥2 meals/day alone had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.94-3.63), depressive symptoms (AOR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.47-4.42), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.05-6.08) than those who ate all their meals with others. In addition, having breakfast or dinner alone increased the odds of stress recognition. Considering the continuous increase in the social phenomenon of eating alone, nutritional educations are needed to develop adolescents' ability to choose more nutritionally balanced and healthy meals when eating alone.

Keywords

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