Identification of Environmental Supports for Healthy Eating in Older Adults

Abstract

Many environmental settings and influences can affect food choices and eating behaviors in the growing population of community-dwelling older adults. Using the Social Ecological model, an expert panel participated in online discussions and an Analytic Hierarchy Process survey to identify the most important and changeable environmental settings and enabling factors that promote healthy eating in older adults. Food stores were rated most important when considering accessibility and affordability. Congregate nutrition sites were important for social support along with supporting access and affordability of healthful foods and living accommodations. Senior housing, health care, and religious settings also contributed to the goal of promoting healthful eating in aging adults. Restaurants were rated of lower importance. Based on these results, it is recommended that community food policies include the nutritional needs of older adults by addressing food accessibility and affordability, social support, and living accommodations, with a focus on congregate nutrition sites, food stores, senior housing, health care, and religious organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• accessibility
• analytic hierarchy process
• congregate meal sites
• eating behavior
• food stores
• nutrition
• older adults
• social ecological model

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank each of the expert panel members for their time and contributions to this effort. Appreciation is also extended to Expert Choice for the complimentary use of the AHP software to conduct this research. This project was supported in part through funding from the USDA/NIFA NE1039 Regional Research Project.

Notes

*Identify environmental supports for promoting healthy eating in older adults.

*Priority values reflect behavioral settings with a priority above 15%.

*Identify environmental supports for promoting healthy eating in older adults.