In this study, we aimed to explore whether eating alone is associated with mental health conditions in Korean adolescents. The data of 2,012 Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2019. Participants were classified into three groups based on the frequency of eating alone: none (all meals with others); 1 meal/day alone; and 2 meals/day alone. Mental health conditions were assessed based on stress recognition, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of poor mental health conditions according to the frequency of eating alone. Adolescents who ate 2 meals/day alone had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.94- 3.63), depressive symptoms (AOR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.47-4.42), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.05-6.08) than those who ate all their meals with others. In addition, having breakfast or dinner alone increased the odds of stress recognition. Considering the continuous increase in the social phenomenon of eating alone, nutritional educations are needed to develop adolescents' ability to choose more nutritionally balanced and healthy meals when eating alone.

Abstract
I. 서 론
II. 연구 내용 및 방법
    1. 연구자료 및 대상
    2. 혼밥 빈도 및 끼니별 혼밥 패턴
    3. 일반적 특성 및 식생활 변수
    4. 정신건강
    5. 통계분석
III. 결과 및 고찰
    1. 혼밥 빈도에 따른 일반적 특성 및 정신건강 상태
    2. 혼밥 빈도에 따른 영양소 섭취, 식품섭취의 다양성 및 식행동 특성
    3. 혼밥 빈도와 정신건강 간의 관련성
    4. 끼니별 혼밥 여부와 정신건강 간의 연관성
IV. 요약 및 결론
Conflict of Interest
References

• 신다연(인하대학교 식품영양학과) | Dayeon Shin (Department of Food and Nutrition, Inha University, Korea)
• 이경원(한국교원대학교 가정교육과) | Kyung Won Lee (Department of Home Economics Education, Korea National University of Education, Korea) Corresponding author