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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
Food Activities and Identity Maintenance Among Community-Living Older Adults: A Grounded Theory Study
Nicola Ann Plastow1, Anita Atwal2, Mary Gilhooly3
1Nicola Ann Plastow, PhD, is Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; nap@sun.ac.za.
Objective:
Engaging in food activities and maintaining identity are each important for productive aging. This study explored the role of food activities in identity maintenance among community-living older adults.
Method:
We used a grounded theory approach to analyze data collected in semistructured interviews with 39 predominantly White, British older adults living in West London.
Results:
Two lifelong food identities-"food lover" and "nonfoodie"-were maintained in the processes of participation and maintenance and threat and compensation. The process change in meaning and identity explained the development of a third food identity-"not bothered"-when participants experienced being alone at the table, deteriorating health, and worry about the cost of food.
Conclusion:
Food activities that are a pleasurable and important part of daily life contribute to the maintenance of important identities and mental well-being in older adults.
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