Motivators, Barriers and Other Factors Related to Bean Consumption in Older Adults

Abstract

Beans are nutrient-dense and can reduce risk of chronic diseases. This is relevant to older adults who can benefit from consuming beans to reduce their elevated chronic disease risk. This study explored bean consumption in older adults (≥65 years) using mixed-methods including a researcher-administered questionnaire (n = 250) and focus groups (n = 49). Prevalence of bean consumption (daily or weekly) was 51.2%. Motivators to bean consumption were significantly more likely among bean consumers with the top three including nutritional value, taste/texture and versatility, which were also predictors of consuming beans (OR = 3.54, 2.72, and 4.24, respectively). Conversely, barriers to bean consumption were significantly more likely among bean non-consumers with the top three including not part of traditional diet/do not think to include beans in meals, flatulence/abdominal discomfort and lack of knowledge about preparation/cooking, which were also predictors of not consuming beans (OR = 3.85, 2.26, and 5.08, respectively). This research will inform dietary strategies to increase bean consumption.

Keywords:

• Barriers
• beans
• focus groups
• mixed-methods
• motivators
• older adults
• questionnaire

Acknowledgments

The research team would like to acknowledge all those who contributed to this research, in particular, the older adults that participated in both phases of this research and the many organizations that helped to facilitate data collection. These include the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit at the University of Guelph, Evergreen Seniors Community Center, Pine Meadows Retirement Community, Parkside Christian Village, Village by the Arboretum, Victoria Park Seniors Center, David Durward Center and Rockway Community Center.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance [Project #030193]. The funding source had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, results interpretation or the process of manuscript preparation and submission.