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 to Portuguese 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 but independent work packages (WPs) using semi‐structured interviews, structured questionnaires and food diaries. Each interview took approximately one hour and was complemented by a background questionnaire (SF36) and seven day food diaries (shopping and consumption). The data from the interviews were transcribed and analysed using MaxQDA. Data from the Portuguese sample are presented and complemented by the eight country samples in the case of meal patterns, functional and convenience 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 partner and/or loneliness were identified as major factors behind the elderly food choice. Functional and convenience products are still not familiar to the elderly in Europe.

Research limitations/implications

More research on determinants of healthy ageing, especially in what concerns foods, and satisfaction with food, is required since efficient policies are needed to enable older populations to maintain their independence and a good satisfaction with food‐related life.

Originality/value

This cross‐cultural qualitative research provides important information about elderly food choice and the factors behind that choice.

Citation

de Morais, C., Afonso, C. and de Almeida, M.D.V. (2010), "Ageing and food consumption in Portugal: new or old paradigms?", British Food Journal, Vol. 112 No. 5, pp. 511-521. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070701011043763