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Volume 8
Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
ISSN: 2155-9600
Nutrition Congress 2018
June 11-13, 2018
June 11-13, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland
21
st
European
Nutrition and Dietetics Conference
Diet adjustment in later life: A grounded theory study of eating behaviours amongst the ageing
population of Limerick
Sharon O Flaherty
Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland
T
he ageing of the population going forward will embody one of the most momentous demographic and social developments
encountered by Irish society. Falling fertility rates and ever-increasing life expectancy will see the number of older people
aged 60 or more almost double, with those over the age of 75 expected to almost triple by the year 2050. Older individuals are the
fastest growing segment of the world’s population, yet they are often overlooked by the food industry, with most food products
targeted at those aged 21 to 49. Disruptions in diet and eating behaviours are common among older adults however, little is
known about the processes underlying these disruptions. The central goal for assisting individuals to age well is promoting a
healthy and nutritious diet however, “Eating behaviour is the result of a complex interaction of physical, psychosocial, cultural
and environmental factors that impact food choices and dietary practices”, and addressing the barriers of access to food is
extremely important to ensure adequate food consumption in older adults, (Brownie & Coutts, 2014, p. 182). Conversely, the
extent to which food shopping can constitute a manageable part of older people’s daily/weekly routines is strongly influenced
by their economic means and health status. The aim of this study was to identify potentials barriers and motivators for food
intake in the ageing population. Qualitative methods based on a constructivist grounded theory approach, guided by a critical
Realist worldview were used. A mixture of intensive interviews and unstructured non-participant observations were chosen to
reach the research objectives, as they fit grounded theory methodology. The sample criteria included those over the age of 65,
living independent lives, and who were responsible for most of their shopping/cooking needs. A substantive theory of why and
how older adults eating behaviours change in later life was developed.
Biography
Sharon O Flaherty is currently completing her MA in research and is currently in the process of transferring to PhD at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) in
Ireland. She recently graduated with a BA honours degree in Applied Social Science in Social Care Work at LIT. She received the Social Care Ireland award for
academic excellence across her course. She has won two awards for research presentations on her undergraduate thesis titled ‘Exploring Food Insecurity among
Single Parent Families in Ireland’. Sharon has submitted a Journal for publication with the 'Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies' (IJASS) titled 'Exploring Food
Insecurity among Single Parent Families in Ireland'. She has recently been successful in her application for a bursary worth €2500 with the Irish Association of
Social Care Educators (IASCE). She is currently working as a Tutor at Limerick Institute of Technology.
sharonoflaherty@rocketmail.comSharon O Flaherty, J Nutr Food Sci 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2155-9600-C3-059