People living alone are more likely to have unhealthy diets

Men living alone were more likely to have a poor diet than women

People living alone often have inadequate cooking skills and lack the motivation to cook (Carlton/Housewife/Getty Images)

People who live alone are more likely to have unhealthy diets, research has found.

The study found inadequate cooking skills, not having a partner to go shopping with, the increased cost of food, and a lack the motivation to cook were among the reasons people living alone gave for their poor diets.

They were found to have a lower diversity of food intake and a lower consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish.

Men living alone were more likely to have a poor diet than women.

Researchers from Queensland University of Technology conducted a meta-analysis of 41 previous studies to investigate the link between living alone and food and nutrient intake and published their findings in the journal Nutrition Reviews.

"Our results found that people who live alone have a lower diversity of food intake and a lower consumption of some core food groups like fruits and vegetables and fish," Dr Hanna said.

"The research suggests living alone may represent a barrier to healthy eating that is related to the cultural and social roles of food and cooking.

"For example, a lack of motivation and enjoyment in cooking and/or eating alone often led to people preparing simple or ready-made meals lacking key nutrients.

"The absence of support or encouragement to comply with healthy eating guidelines and difficulty in managing portion control were also factors influencing diet," Dr Hanna said.

There are several strategies which could address the possible barriers to healthy eating for people eating alone, she added.

"These include programs that focus on cooking skills for single people on a range of budgets, improved availability of affordable healthy food and developing socially acceptable opportunities for eating in communal settings."