The association between loneliness or social isolation and food and eating behaviours: A scoping review.
Research has shown correlations between food, eating habits, loneliness or social isolation, and significant health repercussions. Dietary habits and loneliness are acknowledged as health factors that should be the focus of individual, group, and population-level interventions. However, the level of evidence evaluating such connections remains insufficient. In this scoping review, Hanna et al. (2023) compiled a body of research examining the relationship between eating and food habits and feelings of loneliness or social isolation in those over 16 years of age. Utilizing predefined search criteria, five databases from 2000 were systematically searched. Following a full text screening of 254 publications and theses, three qualitative and 26 quantitative studies—eight of which were carried out during COVID-19 lockdowns—were included in the analysis. The authors noted that nearly all studies found a link between unhealthy eating habits, having a lower-quality diet and consuming fewer fruits and vegetables etc.), and and feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The harmful effects of social isolation or loneliness on eating were also supported by qualitative studies examined. The authors highlight that employing different analytical approaches made it more challenging to evaluate and compare the results despite considering study quality. Finally, the authors conclude that policymakers, researchers, nutrition and mental health practitioners, and end users must be better informed about the intricate relationships between these many facets of health to design treatments and practices. [NPID: Loneliness, social isolation, food, nutrition, eating behaviours, diet]
Year: 2023
