TY - JOUR
T1 - A qualitative study of older adults’ and healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the potential of functional food products to support healthy ageing
AU - Lauren O', Mahony
AU - Emma O', Shea
AU - O'Connor, Eibhlís M.
AU - Tierney, Audrey
AU - Harkin, Mary
AU - Harrington, Janas
AU - Kennelly, Sharon
AU - Arendt, Elke
AU - O'Toole, Paul W.
AU - Timmons, Suzanne
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Providing Mediterranean Diet (MD) nutrients in a minimally-processed functional food product may support healthy ageing, mediating favourable gut microbiota profiles when MD adherence is challenging. We thematically analysed stakeholders’ perspectives of functional food products targeting healthy ageing, through semi-structured individual and group interviews in Ireland, with 47 older-adults (recruited through social, retirement and disease-support groups); and 26 HCPs across a range of disciplines. Functional food products could provide a “boost” of hard-to-reach nutrients, supplementary fibre and/or protein, but there is caution with “silver bullet” products. Changing dentition (texture), appetite (portion size), dexterity (packaging; preparation ease) must be reflected, without stigmatising branding/presentation, while cost and availability were considered important. It was perceived that “sugar is the enemy”, while plant-based proteins were welcomed. In summary, novel food products could supplement, but not replace, a balanced diet for older adults, providing additional protein and fibre in a convenient, sustainable, carefully branded product.
AB - Providing Mediterranean Diet (MD) nutrients in a minimally-processed functional food product may support healthy ageing, mediating favourable gut microbiota profiles when MD adherence is challenging. We thematically analysed stakeholders’ perspectives of functional food products targeting healthy ageing, through semi-structured individual and group interviews in Ireland, with 47 older-adults (recruited through social, retirement and disease-support groups); and 26 HCPs across a range of disciplines. Functional food products could provide a “boost” of hard-to-reach nutrients, supplementary fibre and/or protein, but there is caution with “silver bullet” products. Changing dentition (texture), appetite (portion size), dexterity (packaging; preparation ease) must be reflected, without stigmatising branding/presentation, while cost and availability were considered important. It was perceived that “sugar is the enemy”, while plant-based proteins were welcomed. In summary, novel food products could supplement, but not replace, a balanced diet for older adults, providing additional protein and fibre in a convenient, sustainable, carefully branded product.
KW - Food products
KW - Gut microbiota
KW - Healthcare professionals
KW - Mediterranean diet
KW - Nutrition
KW - Older adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85167984773&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105689
DO - 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105689
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85167984773
SN - 1756-4646
VL - 107
JO - Journal of Functional Foods
JF - Journal of Functional Foods
M1 - 105689
ER -