The Consumption of Protein-Rich Foods in Older Adults: An Exploratory Focus Group Study

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2013.03.008

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

Volume 45, Issue 6, November–December 2013, Pages 751-755

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2013.03.008 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

Many older adults consume inadequate protein for their needs. This study explored the factors associated with the consumption of high-protein foods in older adults.

Methods

Participants over the age of 65 years (n = 28) took part in 1 of 4 focus group discussions on meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and pulses. Discussions were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Numerous and various reasons for the consumption and non-consumption of high-protein foods were reported. Many of these reasons result from reductions in chemosensory, dental and physical abilities, and changes in living situation in the older population, and have impact specifically on high-protein foods because of their often hard, perishable and need-to-be-cooked nature, and high cost.

Conclusions and Implications

Further work is required to establish the importance of each of these reasons in relation to protein intakes, to prioritize those of likely greatest impact for increasing intakes.

Introduction

Growing evidence suggests that dietary protein needs may increase with age.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Higher dietary protein intakes have been associated with the preservation of skeletal muscle mass and the reduction of effects of age-related sarcopenia,1, 4 higher bone mineral content, reduced fracture risk, reduced risk of bone loss,¹ reduced risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improved wound healing.¹ Current knowledge, however, indicates that many older adults may not be consuming adequate amounts of dietary protein.3, 6, 7 Despite this knowledge, there is a lack of research on reasons for low protein intake in older individuals. This study aimed to explore the reasons for the consumption and non-consumption of high-protein foods in older adults. The work was exploratory; thus focus groups were used.⁸

Section snippets

Participants

Participants were recruited via a research database of people aged ≥ 65 years and from groups of older people who met regularly as community groups. Participants were included in the study if they were ≥ 65 years of age, able to participate fully, able to provide informed consent, and able to travel to the location of the focus group. Few exclusion criteria were employed, to allow exploration of as many issues as possible. The Research Ethics Committee of the School of Psychology, Queen's

Results

A total of 28 adults (1 man and 27 women) took part in 4 focus groups. Ages ranged from 65 to 93 years (mean, 81 years). Twenty-three participants lived alone. All participants perceived themselves to be of normal weight (n = 16) or overweight (n = 12). Deprivation scores ranged from 3.12 to 37.64, with a mean of 13.94, which indicates that the majority of the sample lived in areas of low deprivation.

The Table provides reasons for both the consumption and non-consumption of protein-rich foods,

Product-Based Reasons

Several product-based reasons were identified for both the consumption and non-consumption of high-protein foods. None of these reasons were specific to older adults or high-protein foods, but effects may be magnified in older adults and for some foods. Taste, texture, and odor, for example, may be increasingly important for older adults because of chemosensory losses that occur with age, and eating difficulties associated with the loss of natural teeth and wearing dentures.13, 14, 15 Some

Implications for Research and Practice

Further study is needed to establish the importance of all reasons for the consumption of protein-rich foods, as identified above, in relation to actual protein intakes. Our work highlights the potential reasons for the low consumption of protein-rich foods; nevertheless, establishing those of greatest relevance to people with low intakes is important, such that interventions can focus on the reasons of greatest likely impact for those vulnerable to low intakes and low-protein status.

Acknowledgments

This work was completed as part of a Doctorate in Philosophy, undertaken by Rachael Best and funded by a Northern Ireland Department of Education and Learning Programme for Government PhD Scholarship under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Appleton. The work was conducted while both authors were affiliated with Queen's University, Belfast. Grateful thanks are also extended to all group leaders and participants who took part.

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Research BriefThe Consumption of Protein-Rich Foods in Older Adults: An Exploratory Focus Group Study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions and Implications

Introduction

Section snippets

Participants

Results

Product-Based Reasons

Implications for Research and Practice

Acknowledgments

J Am Med Dir Assoc

Am J Clin Nutr

J Nutr Biochem

Applied Ergonomics

Arch Gerontol Geriatr

J Am Diet Assoc

J Aging Stud

Appetite

J Retail Consumer Sci

Appetite

J Am Diet Assoc

Appetite

J Am Diet Assoc

Nutr Res

J Am Diet Assoc

Protein and older adults

J Am Coll Nutr

Dietary guidelines should reflect new understandings about adult protein needs

Nutr Metab

Research Brief
The Consumption of Protein-Rich Foods in Older Adults: An Exploratory Focus Group Study