Knowledge, perceptions and preferences of elderly regarding protein-enriched functional food

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Consumer Behavior

Background:

• Protein intake is crucial for maintaining health and quality of life in the elderly.
• Understanding elderly consumers' perspectives on protein-enriched foods is essential for effective dietary strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and preferences of elderly consumers regarding protein-enriched food.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing the consumption of protein-enriched foods among different elderly groups.

Main Methods:

• Conducted three focus groups with independently living (ID) elderly (N=24, Mage=67).
• Conducted three focus groups with residential home (RH) elderly (N=18, Mage=83).
• Explored general skepticism towards functional foods, perceived barriers, and facilitators for protein-enriched food consumption.

Main Results:

• Both ID and RH elderly expressed skepticism towards functional foods, citing confusion, distrust, and lack of personal relevance.
• Medical advice facilitated protein-enriched food adoption for ID elderly, highlighting personal relevance.
• Sensory appeal was a key facilitator for RH elderly.
• Both groups preferred protein enrichment in familiar, healthy food carriers.

Conclusions:

• Addressing confusion and distrust is vital for promoting functional foods in the elderly.
• Tailoring strategies to specific elderly subgroups (e.g., medical advice for ID, sensory appeal for RH) can enhance protein-enriched food acceptance.
• Future research should focus on overcoming general skepticism towards functional foods in diverse elderly populations.