Living arrangements and eating behaviors of older adults in the United States.

Associations between living arrangements and several eating behaviors were examined for 4,402 adults aged 55 and older using three-day food intake data from the 1977-78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS). Compared to those living with a spouse, persons living alone ate more meals alone and consumed a higher proportion of total calories away from home; a higher proportion of those living alone skipped meals, including breakfast. There was a sex differential in the effect of living alone for some, but not all, of the eating behaviors. Both the probability of eating away from home and of skipping breakfast declined with age, as did the percentage of calories consumed from snacks. These results indicate a need to focus further research not only on the effects these eating behaviors have on the nutritional status of elderly persons, but also on middle-aged cohorts as they age and on food programs targeted at elderly persons living alone.