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Do living arrangements matter?—Evidence from eating behaviors of the elderly in rural China

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  • Liu, Chang
  • Yi, Fujin
  • Xu, Zhigang
  • Tian, Xu

Abstract

The rapidly aging population and increased number of elders living alone in rural China have raised concerns in that such elders are more vulnerable to unhealthy eating behaviors. Using data from four waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey, we estimate the effects of living arrangements on eating behaviors of the elderly in rural areas. Results show that living arrangements are significantly associated with eating behaviors, in which elders living alone are the most disadvantaged compared with their counterparts (living with grandchildren only, living with adult children, or living with others). Specifically, elders living alone consume fewer cereals, vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs, and dairy products. This type of living arrangement lowers the dietary quality and eating frequency of their meals, leading to unhealthy diets. Further estimation finds evidence that household size and composition have significant effects on elders’ eating behaviors, namely, scale and spillover effects, explaining the differential eating behaviors of elders among different patterns of living arrangements.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Chang & Yi, Fujin & Xu, Zhigang & Tian, Xu, 2021. "Do living arrangements matter?—Evidence from eating behaviors of the elderly in rural China," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joecag:v:19:y:2021:i:c:s2212828x21000013
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeoa.2021.100307
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    1. Fang, Feifan & Zhao, Yinyu & Xi, Zemiao & Han, Xinru & Zhu, Yuchun, 2023. "The impact of famine experience on middle-aged and elderly individuals’ food consumption: Evidence from China," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 26(C).
    2. Marja Eliisa Holm & Päivi Sainio & Jaana Suvisaari & Katri Sääksjärvi & Tuija Jääskeläinen & Suvi Parikka & Seppo Koskinen, 2022. "Differences in Unfavorable Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic between People with and without Disabilities in Finland: Psychological Distress as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Jiahao Song & Haitao Wu & Hongxing Lan & Dingde Xu & Wei Wang, 2022. "The Influence of Disease Status on Loneliness of the Elderly: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Zhu, Chen & Jin, Zhuo & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2022. "The impact of informal care from children to their elderly parents on self-employment? Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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