Eating Together, Eating Alone: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Associations Between Social Eating Contexts, Mealtime Emotions, Technology Use, and Loneliness in UK University Students

Background: Loneliness is prevalent amongst university students and may be influenced by social eating behaviours. This study explored associations between loneliness and social eating habits and practices and examined whether loneliness varies by demographic characteristics and mealtime behaviours. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted amongst 255 undergraduate and postgraduate students at a UK campus-based university. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8). Self-reported social eating habits, emotional experiences during mealtimes, and technology use while eating were assessed. Results: The mean loneliness score was 18.27 (SD = 4.90), with 16.1% of participants experiencing severe loneliness. Loneliness did not differ across most demographic groups, except by year of study, with first-year undergraduates reporting higher loneliness than PhD students. Higher loneliness was reported by students who felt embarrassed or lonely when eating alone, were apprehensive about eating with others, or lacked someone to eat with. Greater use of electronic devices or television during meals was also associated with higher loneliness. Conclusions: Loneliness is common amongst university students and is associated with social eating habits/practices and emotional experiences during mealtimes. Interventions promoting social eating could address discomfort and anxiety related to eating alone or with others.