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PURPOSE: The increased population aging has resulted in a growing need for longitudinal studies about the quality of life among older people. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations could be biased because more disadvantaged people leave the original sample. The purpose of this study is to examine how the selective attrition observed in a panel survey affect multivariate models of subjective well-being (SWB). The question is if we could do reliable longitudinal investigations concerning the predictors of SWB in old age. METHODS: This paper examines attrition in a panel of older people in Chile. Attrition was evaluated in the variables that affect elderly SWB. Probit models were fitted to compare dropouts with nondropouts. Then, multivariate probit models were estimated on satisfaction and depressive symptoms, comparing dropouts and nondropouts. Finally, we compared weighted and unweighted multivariate probit models on SWB. RESULTS: The attrition rate in 2 years was 38.8%, including deaths and 32.9%, excluding them. Survey dropouts had lower satisfaction but not higher depressive symptoms. Among SWB predictors, people without a partner and with lower self-efficacy abandoned more the study. When applying the Becketti, Gould, Lillard, and Welch test, the probit coefficients of the predictor variables on SWB outcome variables were similar for dropouts and nondropouts. Finally, the comparison of multivariate models on SWB with weighting methods did not find substantial differences in the explanatory coefficients. CONCLUSION: Although some predictors of attrition were associated with SWB, attrition did not produce biased estimates in multivariate models of life satisfaction life or depressive symptoms in old age.

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People eat on a regular schedule, at times that are shared within a society, and with others. While this phenomenon is theoretically formulated in sociological literature, few empirical studies have tested it, and the available evidence is incomplete. Against this backdrop, this article analyzes the association between meal synchronization and commensality using representative survey data in Santiago and Paris. We hypothesize that commensality influences having meals on a regular schedule because sharing a meal with others needs synchronization. Nevertheless, the strength of this association might be different across the two metropolises given the singular social value of gastronomy in French culture. Using logistic and multinomial regression models, we find that in both metropolises, sharing meals with others more frequently is positively associated with having meals in synchronized timeslots. Next, we find differences between Santiago and Paris. In Paris, commensality is associated with synchronization in all three shared timeslots, and in Santiago, in the midday and the evening slots. Besides, in Paris, sociodemographic characteristics have a stronger effect on synchronization than in Santiago. We interpret those differences as explained by variations in the social norms around food practices. Ultimately, our findings contribute to challenging the thesis of food modernity from an empirical and global perspective.

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RESUMEN El objetivo de este artículo fue caracterizar y describir la estructura socio-demográfica de los eventos alimentarios efectuados por adultos en Santiago de Chile. A partir de datos de la Encuesta de Comensalidad en Adultos de la Región Metropolitana y de un análisis estadístico descriptivo, se observó que la gran mayoría de los encuestados declara tomar desayuno (94,4%) y almuerzo (93,5), mientras que 56,9% toma once y sólo un 39,4% de la muestra declara comer al menos un snack durante el día. El consumo de estos distintos tipos de comidas se diferenció según variables socio-demográficas. A su vez se identificó que los adultos declararon mayormente comidas estructuradas, realizadas en "lugares para comer", en compañía y con una implantación horaria importante. Este artículo contribuye a la discusión sobre la modernidad alimentaria, mostrando evidencia en contra de esta teoría según la cual habría una disminución de las regulaciones sociales que pesan sobre la alimentación.

ABSTRACT The objective of this article was to characterize and describe the socio-demographic structure of eating events carried out by adults in Santiago, Chile. Based on data from the Survey of Commensality in Adults of the Metropolitan Region and a descriptive statistical analysis, it was observed that the majority of adults report eating breakfast (94.4%) and lunch (93.5%), while only 56.9% have a teatime and 39.4 % declare eat snacks in the day. Eating these different types of meals differed according to socio-demographic variables. In addition, it was observed that adults report having structured meals, in places designated for eating, with others during specific times. This article contributes to the discussion on alimentary modernity, showing evidence against this theory according to which there would be a decrease in social regulations that influence eating habits.

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