Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the association between reduced appetite and social factors, particularly social networks and loneliness, among community-dwelling older adults. Appetite is a key determinant of nutritional status and overall health in older adults, and its decline has been linke...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000189 |
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| author | Keisuke Fujii, OTR, PhD Kento Noritake, MS Daiki Nakashima, MS Yuta Kubo, PhD Kyosuke Yorozuya, PhD Soma Tsujishita, PhD Naoki Tomiyama, MS |
| author_facet | Keisuke Fujii, OTR, PhD Kento Noritake, MS Daiki Nakashima, MS Yuta Kubo, PhD Kyosuke Yorozuya, PhD Soma Tsujishita, PhD Naoki Tomiyama, MS |
| author_sort | Keisuke Fujii, OTR, PhD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the association between reduced appetite and social factors, particularly social networks and loneliness, among community-dwelling older adults. Appetite is a key determinant of nutritional status and overall health in older adults, and its decline has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including frailty, sarcopenia, and increased mortality. Methods: Primary assessments included the Japanese version of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and UCLA Loneliness Scale to evaluate appetite, social networks, and loneliness. Multiple regression analysis was performed with appetite as the dependent variable and social network and loneliness as independent variables. Results: Loneliness was significantly associated with reduced appetite in 126 participants, whereas social network size had no significant relationship with appetite. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in the context of reduced appetite among older adults, subjective loneliness may be a more critical factor than the mere quantity of social contact. The results of this study indicated that reducing loneliness is crucial when considering intervention strategies to improve appetite in older adults. In addition to traditional population-based approaches aimed at expanding social networks, individualized interventions that address loneliness and provide psychological support may be necessary. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-41ffeb4d7fd1420bbdd9e462b044b7f1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2950-3078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus |
| spelling | doaj-art-41ffeb4d7fd1420bbdd9e462b044b7f12025-08-20T03:48:27ZengElsevierArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus2950-30782025-06-012210013610.1016/j.aggp.2025.100136Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional studyKeisuke Fujii, OTR, PhD0Kento Noritake, MS1Daiki Nakashima, MS2Yuta Kubo, PhD3Kyosuke Yorozuya, PhD4Soma Tsujishita, PhD5Naoki Tomiyama, MS6Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka, Suzuka, Mie 510-0293, Japan; Corresponding author at: Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka, Suzuka, Mie 510-0293, Japan.Faculty of Health Sciences, Nihon Fukushi University, 26-2 Higashihaemi, Handa, Aichi 475-0012, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation, Tokai Memorial Hospital, 681-47 Oaza Hazama-cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 487-0031, JapanFaculty of Health Science, Naragakuen University, 3-15-1, Nakatomigaoka, Nara, Nara 631-8524, JapanFaculty of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, 2-172 Fukinodai, Tokai, Aichi 476-8588, JapanFaculty of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, 2-172 Fukinodai, Tokai, Aichi 476-8588, JapanFaculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, 9-1-6 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada, Kobe, Hyogo, 658-0032, JapanFaculty of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, 2-172 Fukinodai, Tokai, Aichi 476-8588, JapanPurpose: This study aimed to clarify the association between reduced appetite and social factors, particularly social networks and loneliness, among community-dwelling older adults. Appetite is a key determinant of nutritional status and overall health in older adults, and its decline has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including frailty, sarcopenia, and increased mortality. Methods: Primary assessments included the Japanese version of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and UCLA Loneliness Scale to evaluate appetite, social networks, and loneliness. Multiple regression analysis was performed with appetite as the dependent variable and social network and loneliness as independent variables. Results: Loneliness was significantly associated with reduced appetite in 126 participants, whereas social network size had no significant relationship with appetite. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in the context of reduced appetite among older adults, subjective loneliness may be a more critical factor than the mere quantity of social contact. The results of this study indicated that reducing loneliness is crucial when considering intervention strategies to improve appetite in older adults. In addition to traditional population-based approaches aimed at expanding social networks, individualized interventions that address loneliness and provide psychological support may be necessary.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000189AnorexiaSocial isolationPsychosocial factorsGeriatric nutritionMental healthPsychological support |
| spellingShingle | Keisuke Fujii, OTR, PhD Kento Noritake, MS Daiki Nakashima, MS Yuta Kubo, PhD Kyosuke Yorozuya, PhD Soma Tsujishita, PhD Naoki Tomiyama, MS Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus Anorexia Social isolation Psychosocial factors Geriatric nutrition Mental health Psychological support |
| title | Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Associations among appetite, social networks, and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | associations among appetite social networks and loneliness in community dwelling older adults a cross sectional study |
| topic | Anorexia Social isolation Psychosocial factors Geriatric nutrition Mental health Psychological support |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000189 |
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