A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Food Choices and Food Sources Among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.
Food acquisition
Food choices
Food citizenship
Food insecurity
Qualitative research
Journal
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ISSN: 2212-2672
Titre abrégé: J Acad Nutr Diet
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101573920
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 2023
04 2023
Historique:
received:
01
09
2021
revised:
19
08
2022
accepted:
23
08
2022
pubmed:
3
9
2022
medline:
22
3
2023
entrez:
2
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected food availability and accessibility for many older adults, especially those experiencing food insecurity. Food citizenship is a theoretical framework that encourages the use of alternate over industrial food sources and can characterize where foods are acquired and how food choices are made. The purpose of this study is to explore how Iowans aged 50 years and older made choices about what foods to acquire and where to acquire foods during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic using food citizenship as a theoretical framework. We used in-depth interviews with Iowans aged 50 years and older (N = 60). We recruited respondents through Area Agencies on Aging, food banks, and food pantries. Individuals who contacted the research team, were aged 50 years and older, and spoke English were eligible. Half of the sample screened as food insecure. We conducted a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes. Food costs, personal preferences, and the healthfulness of food were cited as the most influential factors. Respondents said that the pandemic had not changed how they make choices, but increased prices had made costs more salient. Respondents primarily got their food from industrial food retailers, government programs, or food pantries. More than half of the respondents also acquired food from an alternate food source, such as a farmers' market. Reasons for not using alternate food sources included cost and transportation barriers. It is essential to ensure that older adults have access to affordable, healthy foods, especially during crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Alternate food sources provided supplementary, healthy food for many respondents, but there are opportunities to expand the use of these food sources. Incentivizing the use of alternate food sources through government programs and connecting the emergency food system to local producers could increase the consumption of healthy food.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected food availability and accessibility for many older adults, especially those experiencing food insecurity. Food citizenship is a theoretical framework that encourages the use of alternate over industrial food sources and can characterize where foods are acquired and how food choices are made.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to explore how Iowans aged 50 years and older made choices about what foods to acquire and where to acquire foods during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic using food citizenship as a theoretical framework.
DESIGN
We used in-depth interviews with Iowans aged 50 years and older (N = 60).
PARTICIPANTS
We recruited respondents through Area Agencies on Aging, food banks, and food pantries. Individuals who contacted the research team, were aged 50 years and older, and spoke English were eligible. Half of the sample screened as food insecure.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
We conducted a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes.
RESULTS
Food costs, personal preferences, and the healthfulness of food were cited as the most influential factors. Respondents said that the pandemic had not changed how they make choices, but increased prices had made costs more salient. Respondents primarily got their food from industrial food retailers, government programs, or food pantries. More than half of the respondents also acquired food from an alternate food source, such as a farmers' market. Reasons for not using alternate food sources included cost and transportation barriers.
CONCLUSIONS
It is essential to ensure that older adults have access to affordable, healthy foods, especially during crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Alternate food sources provided supplementary, healthy food for many respondents, but there are opportunities to expand the use of these food sources. Incentivizing the use of alternate food sources through government programs and connecting the emergency food system to local producers could increase the consumption of healthy food.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36055634
pii: S2212-2672(22)00937-6
doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2022.08.131
pmc: PMC9428107
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
602-613.e5Subventions
Organisme : NIDDK NIH HHS
ID : T32 DK083250
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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