Eating alone linked to higher frailty risks among older adults, global review finds

When did you last share a meal with your grandparents? A new review of international studies published in 2025 finds that older adults who regularly eat alone face significantly poorer nutrition and higher risks of weight loss and frailty. The analysis examined data from more than 80,000 adults aged 65 and older across multiple countries and found consistent evidence that solitary meals are tied to measurable declines in diet quality and physical health.

Researchers at Flinders University in Australia reviewed 20 studies focused on community-dwelling older adults and reported that individuals who ate alone consumed fewer fruits, vegetables and meats compared with those who shared meals with others. The review described clear patterns of reduced dietary variety and lower overall nutrient intake among solitary eaters. Lead author Caitlin Wyman stated, “Food is more than the nutritional benefit it provides. Sharing a meal is an important social activity that can influence appetite, dietary variety and overall wellbeing.”

The compiled studies also found that eating alone was associated with greater weight loss over time and higher likelihood of frailty, a condition marked by diminished strength and vulnerability to illness. One Japanese study included in the review reported that older adults who lived with family but ate alone were two to nearly three times more likely to be classified as frail than peers who dined with others. Similar findings appeared across research from Europe and Asia, reinforcing the connection between mealtime companionship and physical resilience.

While Asian American families have historically relied on multigenerational living as a protective buffer, recent data challenges the assumption that co-residence ensures better health. Although Asian Americans maintain the highest life expectancy of any racial group at 87 years, studies from 2025 indicate that disability rates for U.S.-born Asian seniors have stagnated even as they improve for other demographics.

Sociologists describe a growing “together but apart” phenomenon where elders live with busy, working-age children but still dine in isolation due to conflicting schedules. This “hidden isolation” within the home suggests that without the intentional practice of shared family meals, the cultural advantage of multigenerational housing is insufficient to protect elders from the nutritional and physical decline associated with solitary dining.

To combat these risks, Wyman and co-author Alison Yaxley suggest that families treat shared meals as a “modifiable risk factor” similar to diet or exercise. Geriatric care organizations recommend scheduling consistent family dinners to ensure elders receive the social stimulation necessary to maintain their appetite and physical strength. When physical presence is impossible, health experts suggest utilizing “virtual dining” video calls to mimic the social cues of a shared meal or enrolling independent elders in community congregate meal programs to foster connection.