Association between eating alone and depression by income level

Background: In Korea, the number of single-person households is increasing annually, with increases from 23.9% in 2010 to 27.9% in 2016, and 31.7% in 2020. As the number of single-person household increases, the number of people eating alone also increases. As a result, mental health problems such as depression and stress have occurred. This phenomenon may show a different tendency depending on socioeconomic levels. Methods Frequency analysis was conducted to understand the general characteristics of the study subjects. In addition, a chi-squared test was conducted to verify the difference in income levels according to the characteristics of the study subjects. To verify the differences between the characteristics and depression in the study subjects by income level, a chi-squared test was conducted. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to confirm the factors affecting depression by income level. Results In the case of commensality, 75.7% of the group with high-income levels were higher than 67.4% of the group with low-income levels. In the case of depression, 18.6% of the low-income group was higher than 11.3% of the high-income group. When divided according to income level, in the low-income group, the group that eats alone had 1.46-times (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.077~2.066) higher depression than the group that does not eat with others. In contrast, in the high-income group, eating alone did not have a significant effect on depression. Conclusion The effect of eating alone on depression varies depending on the income level. Thus, other factors may have affected depression in the high-income group rather than eating alone. In the low-income group, it is necessary to improve the environment so that they can eat together for healthy eating and mental health, and promotion or education should be provided.