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How Older Citizens in Germany Perceive and Handle Their Food Environment—A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jana Rueter

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

  • Susanne Brandstetter

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

  • Janina Curbach

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

  • Verena Lindacher

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

  • Berit Warrelmann

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

  • Julika Loss

    (Medical Sociology, Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Dr.-Gessler-Straße 17, 93051 Regensburg, Germany)

Abstract

Apart from individual factors like knowledge or personal motivation, the environment also influences a person’s eating behaviour. Food environments can be described as the collective physical, economic, policy and sociocultural surroundings, opportunities and conditions that influence people’s food choices and nutritional status. In order to explore how older citizens in rural Germany perceive and handle their food environment, we conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 35 older adults (71 ± 7 years), asking about micro-, meso- and macro-level influences on eating habits. Participants reported social factors to be crucial in shaping their diets, such as preferences of family members or social expectations connected to roles (guest, host). On a physical level, structural aspects and resources in their nearby surroundings influenced shopping and eating behaviour (for example access to an own vegetable garden, local shopping facilities and restaurants). Macro-level influences such as the food industry were hardly mentioned. Participants noticed that the environment affects their diets but dealt with undesired influences using strategies of adaptation and behaviour change, rather than challenging the environmental influences. Public health projects should raise the awareness of the multiple environmental influences on eating behaviour and also help people to create healthier food environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Rueter & Susanne Brandstetter & Janina Curbach & Verena Lindacher & Berit Warrelmann & Julika Loss, 2020. "How Older Citizens in Germany Perceive and Handle Their Food Environment—A Qualitative Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:6940-:d:417631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sean Lucan & Nandita Mitra, 2012. "Perceptions of the food environment are associated with fast-food (not fruit-and-vegetable) consumption: findings from multi-level models," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(3), pages 599-608, June.
    2. Tilman Brand & Claudia R. Pischke & Berit Steenbock & Johanna Schoenbach & Saskia Poettgen & Florence Samkange-Zeeb & Hajo Zeeb, 2014. "What Works in Community-Based Interventions Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating? A Review of Reviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Naoto Mouri & Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Effects of Shopping Rehabilitation on Older People’s Daily Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, January.

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