Qualitative Study of Attitudes Toward Healthy Eating Habits and Factors Limiting Food Choices Among the Elderly Living in Mountainous areas / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors limiting food choices of elderly people living in a mountainous region. Focus group interviews were conducted with elderly residents of Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, to examine their attitudes toward healthy eating habits and factors limiting the variety of food intake. Results of quantitative text analysis showed that attitudes toward healthy eating could be classified into three categories: “balance of health and food”, “eating each food groups”, and “taking care of own health”. The factors limiting the intake of a variety of foods could be classified into three categories: “economic reasons”, “limiting about meat and fish”, and “limiting about potatoes”. Attitudes toward the intake of balanced meals and each food were extracted as attitudes toward healthy eating among the elderly. Economic factors (including the priority given to saving money rather than health) and social environmental factors such as family members living together were included as factors limiting the dietary habits of elderly people living in mountainous regions. There is a need to develop a strategic approach to dietary instruction based on the individual life background of community residents.