In older adults in China, how people eat with others and their social connections are more strongly linked to their nutrition than simply whether they live alone.

Chinese older adults who live alone, have few social connections, and lack emotional or practical support are more than eight times more likely to have poor nutritional status, as indicated by standard nutritional assessments and blood protein levels.

Chinese older adults who often eat alone tend to consume a narrower range of foods, especially less meat, seafood, eggs, and vegetables, with women showing greater reductions in these nutrients than men.

In older Chinese adults, feeling lonely or lacking perceived social support is linked to a higher risk of reduced appetite and muscle loss, suggesting that how isolated a person feels may affect their physical health beyond just being alone.

In Chinese adults aged 60 and older who live in the community, those who are single (unmarried, divorced, or widowed) are statistically less likely to be malnourished than those who are married, based on standard nutritional assessments.