Factors associated with sources of influence/information in reducing red meat by elderly subjects

A number of studies have found that health beliefs and social influences predict changes in dietary intake, including red meat. These studies have not determined what kinds of individuals are more likely to change their diets due to the advice of physicians, the advice of significant others, or because of mass-media exposure. We obtained data from 424 elderly Houstonians regarding whether they had attempted to reduce red meat consumption and if so, why. Social network, health status, food attitude and demographic variables are used to differentiate those who have made physician-induced changes from other sources of influence/information for change. Elderly subjects with smaller abdominal girth measurements are more likely to make red meat reductions regardless of the source of influence/information; those who believe in the efficacy of health foods are more likely to give physicians and mass media as sources of influence/information for red meat reductions. Men are more likely than women to report red meat reductions because of mass media and physician influences. Women who receive a greater amount of companionship from their social networks are more likely to change because of friends/relatives influences.