Preferences, needs and attitudes regarding food habits and meal patterns among community-dwelling older adults : a cross-sectional survey

• The aim of this study is to explore preferences, needs and attitudes regarding food habits and meal patterns among community-dwelling older adults. 164 community-dwelling, 87-100-years old, 73 % women. Cross-sectional questionnaires based survey distributed by postal service. Approved by the Regional Ethical Review board in Gothenburg T231-14, addition to Dnr ref nr: 650-07. Results were, meanage 90.6 ± 2.84 yrs, mean BMI 23.7 ± 3.70 kg/m2, ♀71, ♂31 had no medical difficulties. More women than men lived alone, ♀102 ♂21 (p<0.01). ♀75 ♂28 would not consider home delivered convenience meals and ♀101 ♂23 cooked alone. Top three important practicalities when buying or receiving convenience meals were easy-open package (♀64 ♂23), easy to get food out (♀34 ♂13) and easily read (♀31 ♂16). This very old population shows good health evident by nutritional status and meal patterns. Subject characteristics indicated better condition than average Swedish nonagenarian, a minority reporting medical difficulties. Very few would consider convenience meals home delivered and would never use the computer. The conclusion is that an majority of both sexes preferred and managed planning, acquiring and cooking food independently although gender differences were apparent with women taking a greater responsibility. A great proportion was interested in testing new flavors. An urgent need concerned accessible containers with readable labels showing the importance for industry to acknowledge needs of older adults and accordingly adapt packaging for this age group.

Subject headings

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nutrition and Dietetics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskaper -- Näringslära (hsv//swe)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Attitudes

Food Choices

Older Adults

Meal Patterns

Nutrition

Näringslära

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)