Dietary practices linked to the occurrence of non-communicable diseases among older adults

Abstract

Introduction: The process of aging of the Argentine population is undergoing an advanced demographic transition that transforms health profiles, prevailing non-communicable diseases. While food in old age is a social, cultural and environmental fact, which affects the quality of life and health.

Objective: Identify the living conditions, potentially associated with the development of non-communicable diseases, that impact in the development of food practices of older adults in the city of Córdoba and Gran Córdoba, in the period 2017 – 2019.

Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study, with qualitative-quantitative methodological triangulation. A non-probabilistic sample of older adults (≥ 60 years of age) was designed by quotes according to level of education, implementing semi-structured questionnaires (n = 384), interviews (n = 12) and participant observations.

Results: In the solo space, the presence of diseases associated with old age that bring dietary and health changes emerges. In the particular-collective dimension, health variations are recognized at the group level; the disease that is individually experienced as a concern becomes part of the fabric of social bonding. The multivariate analysis identified two modalities with a contextualized multidimensional view of health and food. In the general space there is a tension between the new paradigm on aging and the material conditions of life for it.

Conclusions: Analyzing the health and nutrition of older adults in their context, allows to recognize points of encounter between predominant ways of aging, and making visible the principle of a social change.