"The Connection Between Loneliness and Unhealthy Eating"

A review of 29 research papers conducted by Queensland University of Technology has found consistent evidence linking loneliness and social isolation to detrimental food and eating behaviors, regardless of COVID-19 lockdowns. The association includes lower fruit and vegetable intake, higher consumption of energy-dense-nutrient-poor foods, and lower overall diet quality. The findings emphasize the need to consider social factors in dietary guidance and suggest that improving social connections may enhance nutritional intake and overall health. The study calls for further research to explore the potential of food and communal eating as strategies to mitigate loneliness and its health implications.