During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers studied 237 older adults living in their communities to understand how eating habits affect muscle strength and movement. They found that older people who ate meals by themselves had weaker muscles and lower physical fitness compared to those who ate with others. This connection was strong enough that eating alone was identified as an independent risk factor for poor motor function. The study suggests that simply eating meals together with family or friends could be a simple and practical way to help older adults maintain their strength and physical abilities during challenging times.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating meals alone or with others affects how strong and physically fit older adults are, and how this connects to nutrition, mood, and thinking ability
  • Who participated: 237 older adults (average age 73 years) living in their own homes in Japan during early 2021, selected from community support programs
  • Key finding: Older adults who ate alone were about 4 times more likely to have weak muscles and poor physical fitness compared to those who ate with others
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult or caring for one, eating meals with family or friends may help maintain strength and physical ability. However, this is one study showing a connection, not proof that eating together causes better fitness—other factors may be involved.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a survey during March and April 2021 when COVID-19 lockdowns were ending in Japan. They asked 900 older adults living in their communities to answer questions about their eating habits, nutrition, mood, memory, and physical fitness. The survey was distributed through local welfare councils and community support centers that work with older adults.

Participants answered questions about whether they usually ate meals alone or with others. Researchers also measured their physical fitness using a standardized test called the Motor Fitness Scale, which checks things like balance, strength, and movement ability. They also assessed nutrition status, depression symptoms, and thinking ability using established medical questionnaires.

After removing people with missing information or certain health conditions, 237 older adults were included in the final analysis. Researchers then used statistical methods to determine which factors were most strongly connected to weak physical fitness.

This research approach is important because it captures real-world information from older adults living in their own homes rather than in hospitals or labs. The timing during COVID-19 is significant because lockdowns forced many older people to eat alone, making this a natural experiment to study the effects. By measuring multiple factors (eating habits, nutrition, mood, and thinking ability), researchers could determine if eating alone was independently connected to weak muscles, or if other factors were responsible.

This study has several strengths: it used established, validated measurement tools for physical fitness and nutrition; it included a reasonable sample size; and it controlled for other factors that might affect results. However, readers should know that this was a snapshot in time (cross-sectional), so it shows associations but cannot prove that eating alone causes weak muscles. The study excluded people with memory problems and those needing care, so results may not apply to all older adults. Additionally, the study was conducted in Japan, so cultural differences in eating habits might affect how findings apply elsewhere.

What the Results Show

The study found a clear connection between eating alone and weak physical fitness. Older adults in the low fitness group were significantly more likely to eat meals by themselves compared to those with normal fitness levels. When researchers used advanced statistical analysis to account for other factors like age, nutrition, depression, and thinking ability, eating alone remained strongly connected to poor physical fitness—those who ate alone had about 4 times the risk of having weak muscles and poor movement ability.

Interestingly, the study found that older adults aged 75 and above actually made up a smaller portion of the low fitness group, suggesting that the youngest older adults in the study (65-74 years) may have been more affected by eating alone during the pandemic. This could mean that younger older adults are more vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation during meals.

The study also found that poor nutrition status was connected to weak physical fitness, though this connection was not quite strong enough to be considered statistically significant on its own. This suggests that eating alone may affect fitness partly through its impact on nutrition, but other factors are also involved.

Depression and thinking ability were measured but did not show strong independent connections to physical fitness in this study. This is somewhat surprising, as previous research has linked depression and cognitive decline to physical weakness in older adults. The findings suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the social aspect of eating (eating alone versus with others) may have been more important than mood or thinking ability in affecting physical fitness.

This research builds on existing knowledge that social isolation harms older adults’ health. Previous studies have shown that loneliness and eating alone are connected to depression, poor nutrition, and health problems in older people. This study adds new evidence that eating alone specifically affects physical strength and movement ability. The findings align with research showing that social eating experiences encourage better nutrition and physical activity, which support muscle strength. However, most previous research on this topic was conducted before COVID-19, making this study’s findings during a pandemic particularly relevant to current conditions.

This study has important limitations to consider. First, it’s a snapshot in time, so researchers cannot prove that eating alone causes weak muscles—only that they’re connected. Second, the study excluded people with memory problems and those needing care, so results may not apply to all older adults, especially the most vulnerable. Third, the study was conducted in Japan during a specific time period, so eating habits and cultural factors might be different in other countries. Fourth, the study relied on people’s answers to questions rather than direct observation of eating habits. Finally, the study was relatively small (237 people), so results need to be confirmed in larger studies before drawing firm conclusions.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults should try to eat meals with family members, friends, or in group settings when possible. This is a low-risk, practical approach that may help maintain physical strength and fitness. For caregivers and family members, creating opportunities for shared meals—whether in person or through video calls during lockdowns—appears to be a simple intervention worth trying. However, this should not replace medical care or physical therapy for those with existing fitness problems. Confidence level: Moderate—this is one study showing a connection, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

This research is most relevant to older adults aged 65 and above living in their own homes, their family members, and caregivers. It’s particularly important for those who live alone or tend to eat meals by themselves. Community health workers, senior centers, and programs serving older adults should also pay attention to these findings. However, people with severe mobility problems or those in long-term care facilities may need different approaches beyond just eating together.

The benefits of eating together are likely not immediate. Physical fitness and muscle strength typically take weeks to months to improve with lifestyle changes. Older adults should expect to see gradual improvements in strength and movement ability over 2-3 months of regularly eating with others, especially if combined with light physical activity. Some social and mood benefits might appear more quickly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily eating patterns by logging whether meals were eaten alone or with others, and note the number of social eating occasions per week. Set a goal to increase shared meals from baseline (for example, from 2 to 5 times per week) and monitor changes in energy levels and physical activity capacity over 8-12 weeks.
  • Use the app to schedule regular meal times with family or friends, set reminders for group meals, and log completed social eating events. Users can also track invitations sent to others and received, creating accountability for increasing social eating opportunities. The app could suggest local senior centers, community meal programs, or virtual meal groups for those with limited social connections.
  • Establish a baseline of current eating patterns and physical activity levels. Track weekly frequency of eating with others versus alone. Monitor related metrics like mood, energy levels, and ability to perform daily activities (climbing stairs, walking distance, standing from a chair). Review progress monthly and adjust social eating goals based on improvements in physical function and overall wellbeing.

This research shows a connection between eating alone and weaker physical fitness in older adults, but it does not prove that eating alone causes weakness. This study was conducted during a specific time period in Japan and may not apply to all populations or situations. If you or a loved one is experiencing weakness, difficulty moving, or other health concerns, please consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with your doctor before making significant changes to eating habits or starting new activities, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.