Individual and interpersonal factors affecting dietary intake of community-dwelling older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15093136 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Amy Ellis (0000-0003-2110-1524, University of Alabama, corresponding author), Seung Eun Jung (0000-0002-3432-7218, University of Alabama), Frankie Palmer (University of Alabama), Mackinsey Shahan |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1667-1677 |
| Publication date | 2022-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Health Nutrition (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s1368980022000696 |
| OpenAlex | W4226142944 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 46 |
Objective: As older adults are at higher risk for severe illness and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, social distancing has been a primary means of mitigating risk. However, this lifestyle change may impact eating habits and food choices. The aim of this study was to explore individual and interpersonal factors affecting the eating behaviours and dietary intake of community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analysed using a deductive content analysis approach to identify themes. Setting: Southeastern United States Participants: Twenty-three men and women, 60 years of age and older (mean age 71·9 ± 7·7, 22 % male), completed both the interview and questionnaire. Results: Themes that emerged at the individual level included changes in eating habits and foods eaten, with most participants reporting healthier food choices during the pandemic. Participants also reported more frequent cooking, improved cooking skills and cooking as a form of stress relief. Although some older adults described increased snacking and consumption of ‘comfort foods’, others noted no influence of mood on food choices. At the interpersonal level, an increased use of technology for social interaction and the importance of social support were identified as influencing factors. Conclusions: Findings provide insight on how to help older adults maintain good nutrition amidst lifestyle changes imposed by social distancing. Nutrition educators may capitalise on positive behaviour changes that occurred during the pandemic such as increased cooking and increased use of technology for social interaction
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Environmental health · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Mood · Obesity · Pandemic · Qualitative research · Snacking · Social distance · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology
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| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2022 - 2026 (5) |
| Highly cited | No |