Comparison of Nutrient Intake and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome According to the Frequency of Eating with Others in the Elderly: Based on the 2013-2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the association between the nutritional status and the risk of metabolic syndrome according to the frequency of eating with others in elderly men and women.Methods: This study included 4,562 subjects (≥65 years) from the 2013-2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Survey logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the frequency of eating with others per day (0, 1-2, 3 times/day) and nutrient intake and metabolic syndrome, adjusted for the related confounding variables.Results: In elderly men, eating with others was significantly associated with a higher intake of vitamin C, phosphorus, and iron. Additionally, elderly men who ate with others 0 time/day had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.43-6.62) for overall nutrient intake insufficiency as compared to elderly men who ate with others 3 times/day. In elderly women, eating with others was significantly associated with a higher intake of energy. However, no association was found between the frequency of eating with others and risk of metabolic syndrome in either sex.Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that frequently eating with others may improve the nutritional status in both elderly men and women.