1. Background
○ Single-person households have emerged as new consumers (Solo economy), and personalized goods are on the rise. Consumption patterns are also expected to be different from those of other households, with single households having a high ...
1. Background
○ Single-person households have emerged as new consumers (Solo economy), and personalized goods are on the rise. Consumption patterns are also expected to be different from those of other households, with single households having a high proportion of eating alone and eating out alone. Eating behaviors, such as type of food taken, amount and method of consumption, may affect health such as chronic diseases.
○ In the aging society, when the prevalence of chronic disease is high, the national burden increases due to the increase in the medical expenses for the treatment and the decrease in the productivity, as well as the deterioration of the quality of life of the individual. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a healthy environment according to the economic characteristics, eating habits, and health behaviors among single-person households.
2. Objectives
○ In this study, we present the data on eating and health behaviors among single-person households and its impact on food industry. It aims to provide supporting data to develop a healthy environment for single-person households. By doing so, it will help to minimize negative impacts of being single-person households on the health of individuals.
3. Methods
○ Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed health–related behaviors such as drinking, smoking, disease status, and subjective health status by age group with high proportion of single-person households.
○ In order to understand the eating behaviors of single-person households, the trends of eating behaviors of single-person households and multi-person households were analyzed and compared using the national data from the last 10 years. In addition, we compared the eating environments, eating behaviors, eating practices when eating alone between different age groups among single-person households.
○ We also analysed cultural and industrial trends through cultural ecological considerations on changes in food behaviors, food behaviors in social anthropological perspectives, growth factors of food service industry according to economic characteristics of single households.
○ In order to understand the trends of other countries, we conducted research on the trends, projections and causes of single–person households in Japan. We also analyzed the eating behaviors, food expenditure, health, food–related policies, and current research trends with regard to single-person households.
4. Results and Conclusion
○ The disposable income level was lower among single-person households than those of multi-person households. While the age of non–working households is higher than that of working households, disposable income is higher for working households than for non–working households. This may mean that the proportion of single-person households is higher among elderly households in retirement. Moreover, the overall socioeconomic status was lower in single-person household with people over 60 years old.
○ Health behaviors, such as drinking and smoking, were shown more negative among people from single-person households in both 20-30 years old and in over 60 years old compared to non single-person households.
○ In the case of single-person households, the proportion of people who eat 3 meals a day regularly and the variety of food taken were lower in all ages. In addition, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and ramen noodles was higher.
○ One of the advantages of the eating alone was described as free to eat whatever they want to eat and to be able to do other things while eating. The negative aspects were described as the difficulty in eating various food items and the inconvenience to cook and clean. The reasons for not cooking include the difficulty in buying groceries for one person, lack of time, and lack of cooking space.
○ Respondents in their 20s said that they like to eat alone and more people replied that they eat more when they eat alone than eating with others compared with older respondents. Respondents who are older than 50 years old preferred to eat with others. Reasons for eating alone were “do not have someone who eats together” among respondents older than 50s, “do not have enough time” among respondents in 40s, and “want to eat freely, taking time” among respondents in 20s.
○ Adolescents and the elderly have negative feelings about eating alone, while young and middle-aged have positive feelings. For them, the positive aspect of 'eating alone' can be expressed as a sense of liberation and autonomy. In anthropology and sociology, research on food mainly focuses on 'eating together', and scholars' view of eating alone is not so positive. Even if we emphasize the importance of 'eating together', we need to discuss alternatives for people who may need to 'eat alone'.
○ According to empirical evidence that this study presents, it is confirmed that the increase trend of single–person households can have a positive effect on food service industries. Since the frequency of eating out is more frequent among single–person households, the recent social change in the increase of single–person households is likely to be a new opportunity in these industries.
○ Since the characteristics of single-person households are diverse, it is necessary to have a targeted marketing strategy according to sex, age, and income level of single-person household, and to analyze policies and programs implemented by different government agencies related to single-person households. Based on the analysis, it needs to discover new areas of potential business opportunities.
○ Since the number of people who eats alone does increase even if they are not from single-person households, we need to consider developing new food items and new ways of dietary management. The results of this study can be used as basic data for subsequent research, active collaboration with researchers from various fields including economics, nutrition science, and sociology.