Addressing ‘difficulty in dining’ among older adults: optimizing community senior dining halls from external and internal built environments

This study investigates the association between dining volume in community-based senior dining halls (CSDHs) and built environment characteristics in Guangzhou, China. Using multiple linear regression models on data from 50 CSDHs, the study found that external factors like lower floor area ratio (FAR) and proximity to subway stations are positively associated with dining volume. Internal factors such as dine-in seating availability, number of seats, and the presence of water dispensers also positively influence dining volume, while higher floor levels negatively impact it. These findings suggest that well-designed built environments can enhance CSDH usage, improve older adults' well-being, and promote community-based senior care.

Xinyi Zou, Ying Zhou, Yi Lu