Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals
Abstract Background Loneliness is a public health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Adverse health behaviours and a higher body mass index (BMI) have been proposed as key mechanisms influencing this association. The present study aims to examine the relationship between lone...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21490-4 |
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| author | Martin Mejlby Jensen Karina Friis Helle Terkildsen Maindal Anne-Sofie Hargaard Maria Gjaldbaek Knudsen Marie Stjerne Grønkjaer Mathias Lasgaard |
| author_facet | Martin Mejlby Jensen Karina Friis Helle Terkildsen Maindal Anne-Sofie Hargaard Maria Gjaldbaek Knudsen Marie Stjerne Grønkjaer Mathias Lasgaard |
| author_sort | Martin Mejlby Jensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Loneliness is a public health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Adverse health behaviours and a higher body mass index (BMI) have been proposed as key mechanisms influencing this association. The present study aims to examine the relationship between loneliness, adverse health behaviour and a higher BMI, including daily smoking, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, and obesity in men and women and across different life stages. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2017 Danish National Health Survey (entitled “How are you?“). Loneliness was assessed using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression models were employed to analyse the association between loneliness, health behaviour and obesity in a sample of 122,258 individuals (16 + years). The models were adjusted for sex, age, educational attainment, country of origin, and partnership status. Stratified analyses were conducted to investigate differences by sex and life stages. Results Loneliness was associated with an increased risk of daily smoking (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.21–1.40), physical inactivity (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.75–1.99), unhealthy diet (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.47–1.70), and obesity (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.49–1.72). Conversely, loneliness was associated with a reduced risk of high alcohol consumption in men (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.0.91). Conclusions Our study provides evidence that loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity in both men and women and across the lifespan. These findings suggest that health behaviours and obesity may influence the association between loneliness and poor health outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships underlying these associations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7fca88fdc1e9497ebee956c885529c72 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-7fca88fdc1e9497ebee956c885529c722025-02-02T12:45:46ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-21490-4Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individualsMartin Mejlby Jensen0Karina Friis1Helle Terkildsen Maindal2Anne-Sofie Hargaard3Maria Gjaldbaek Knudsen4Marie Stjerne Grønkjaer5Mathias Lasgaard6Public Health Research, DEFACTUM, Central Denmark RegionPublic Health Research, DEFACTUM, Central Denmark RegionDepartment of Public Health, Aarhus UniversityUnaffiliated, Formerly Public Health Research, DEFACTUM, Central Denmark RegionChildren, Youth and Families Unit, The Danish Authority of Social Services and HousingCenter for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital– Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergPublic Health Research, DEFACTUM, Central Denmark RegionAbstract Background Loneliness is a public health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Adverse health behaviours and a higher body mass index (BMI) have been proposed as key mechanisms influencing this association. The present study aims to examine the relationship between loneliness, adverse health behaviour and a higher BMI, including daily smoking, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, and obesity in men and women and across different life stages. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2017 Danish National Health Survey (entitled “How are you?“). Loneliness was assessed using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression models were employed to analyse the association between loneliness, health behaviour and obesity in a sample of 122,258 individuals (16 + years). The models were adjusted for sex, age, educational attainment, country of origin, and partnership status. Stratified analyses were conducted to investigate differences by sex and life stages. Results Loneliness was associated with an increased risk of daily smoking (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.21–1.40), physical inactivity (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.75–1.99), unhealthy diet (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.47–1.70), and obesity (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.49–1.72). Conversely, loneliness was associated with a reduced risk of high alcohol consumption in men (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.0.91). Conclusions Our study provides evidence that loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity in both men and women and across the lifespan. These findings suggest that health behaviours and obesity may influence the association between loneliness and poor health outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships underlying these associations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21490-4LonelinessHealth behaviourSmokingAlcohol consumptionPhysical activityDiet |
| spellingShingle | Martin Mejlby Jensen Karina Friis Helle Terkildsen Maindal Anne-Sofie Hargaard Maria Gjaldbaek Knudsen Marie Stjerne Grønkjaer Mathias Lasgaard Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals BMC Public Health Loneliness Health behaviour Smoking Alcohol consumption Physical activity Diet |
| title | Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals |
| title_full | Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals |
| title_fullStr | Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals |
| title_short | Loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity: a Danish population-based study of 122,258 individuals |
| title_sort | loneliness is associated with adverse health behaviour and obesity a danish population based study of 122 258 individuals |
| topic | Loneliness Health behaviour Smoking Alcohol consumption Physical activity Diet |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21490-4 |
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