The relationship between individual and environmental factors related to health, nutritional status, and diet in elderly people living alone in Japan.

Aging is an essential milestone that governments worldwide must plan for. At a global level, Japan currently has the highest share of population older than 65 years. Thus, the Japanese experience may be a useful guide to other countries as they consider their policies. Elderly individuals living alone encounter many challenges typically not faced by those living in a multiperson household. Nutrition status and diet are 2 such challenges, both of which are crucial determinants of health and well-being. The health and nutrition statuses as well as some other factors in elderly individuals living alone in Japan were investigated. The identification of the factors relating to food diversity, social relationships, and physical ability, among others, indicates, as hypothesized, that the relationship between individual and environmental factors is associated with the health, nutritional statuses, and diets of elderly people living alone. The findings and approach may be useful to scholars and policy makers in significantly aging societies like Japan as well as other societies experiencing population aging.