Ageing and food consumption in Portugal: new or old paradigms?

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effects of ageing on food choice according toPortuguese elderly narratives within an eight-country research project, the Food in Later Life(www.foodinlaterlife.org).Design/methodology/approach - The project was organized into eight interrelated butindependent work packages (WPs) using semi-structured interviews, structured questionnaires andfood diaries. Each interview took approximately one hour and was complemented by a backgroundquestionnaire (SF36) and seven day food diaries (shopping and consumption). The data from theinterviews were transcribed and analysed using MaxQDA. Data from the Portuguese sample arepresented and complemented by the eight country samples in the case of meal patterns, functional andconvenience products. The sentences used to illustrate the memories of older people are quoted.Findings - Health problems and physiological restraints along with social changes, loss of a partnerand/or loneliness were identified as major factors behind the elderly food choice. Functional andconvenience products are still not familiar to the elderly in Europe.Research limitations/implications - More research on determinants of healthy ageing, especiallyin what concerns foods, and satisfaction with food, is required since efficient policies are needed toenable older populations to maintain their independence and a good satisfaction with food-related life.Originality/value - This cross-cultural qualitative research provides important information aboutelderly food choice and the factors behind that choice.