Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

The Informal Networks in Food Procurement by Older People—A Cross European Comparison

  • Published:
Ageing International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Healthy dietary profiles contribute to successful aging, and dietary intake is dependent upon food procurement capabilities. Both formal and informal social networks can contribute to grocery shopping capabilities and methods of food procurement. This investigation explores the role of informal networks in food procurement methods among adults aged 65 years and older, and compares differences across eight European countries. Food shopping ways (FSW), identified by quantitative analysis (cluster analysis and correspondence analysis), guided the content qualitative analysis which was carried out addressing three main research questions addressing food shopping routines, feelings of dependency and needs of informal support for shopping, and differences between past and present food shopping behaviours. Living circumstances influence food shopping habits. Informal networks differed between two groups of individuals: those living alone and those living with others. Gender differences emerged in shopping pleasure. Geographical factors were associated with preference for shopping companions, attitudes toward receiving support, and availability of a car for shopping. The importance of living circumstances (i.e., alone vs. with others) in FSW was revealed. Informal social networks may play an important role in public health and welfare policies, particularly given the increase in this demographic group. Assistance with grocery shopping and the availability of trained personnel could widen informal networks, and effective informal networks may be an important supportive service for older adults. The comparison across countries highlighted relationships between food procurement capabilities and social networks. These findings may be used to develop resources to better meet the nutritional needs of older adults.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Retirement age depends upon the national regulatory systems, e.g. in Italy for men is 65 yrs and for women, 60 yrs.

References

  • Andersson, J. (2002). Older Women and Food. Dietary Intake and Meals in Self-Managing and Disabled Females Living at Home. Uppsala: Uppsala University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arcury, T. A., Quandt, S. A., Bell, R. A., McDonald, J., & Vitolins, M. Z. (1998). Barriers to nutritional well-being for rural elders: community experts’ perceptions. The Gerontologist, 38, 490–498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelson, M. L. (1986). The impact of culture on food-related behaviour. Annual Review of Nutrition, 6, 345–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, J. T., & Schumacher, G. E. (2003). The need for a nutrition-related quality-of-life measure. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 103(2), 177–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, S., Harris, K., Leaver, D., & Oldfield, B. (2001). Beyond convenience: the future for independent food and grocery retailers in the UK. International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 11, 395–414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartali, B., Salvini, S., Turrini, A., Lauretani, F., Russo, C. R., Corsi, A. M., et al. (2003). Age and disability affect dietary intake. Journal of Nutrition, 133, 2868–2873.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartos, R. (1980). Over 49: the invisible consumer market. Harvard Business Review, 58, 140–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bingham, S. A. (1991). Limitations of the various methods for collecting dietary intake data. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 35, 117–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, R. D. F., Colin J., Thomas, C. J. (2002). Food shopping and town centre vitality: exploring the link. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 12(2):109–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caraher, M., Dixon, P., Lang, T., & Carr-Hill, R. (1999). The state of cooking in England: the relationship of cooking skills to food choice. British Food Journal, 101(8), 590–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, M. A., Murphy, S. P., Neuhaus, J. M., & Lein, D. (1990). Living arrangements and dietary quality of older U.S. adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 90, 1667–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Castro, J. M. (1994). Family and friends produce greater social facilitation of food intake than other companions. Physiology and Behavior, 56, 445–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EUROSTAT. (2004). Eurostat Yearbook 2004. The Statistical Guide to Europe, Chapter 2, European Commission.

  • Farquhar, M. (1995). Elderly people’s definitions of quality of life. Social Science and Medicine, 41(10), 1439–1446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fjellström, C., Sidenvall, B., & Nydahl, M. (2001). Food intake and the elderly—Social aspects. In L. J. Frewer, E. Risvik, & R. Schifferstein (Eds.), Food, people and society (pp. 200–209). Berlin: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frewer, L. J., Risvik, E., & Schifferstein, R. (Eds.). (2001). Food, people and society. Berlin: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grewal, I., Lewis, J., Flynn, T., Brown, J., Bond, J., & Coast, J. (2006). Developing attributes for a generic quality of life measure for older people: Preferences or capabilities? Social Science and Medicine, 62, 1891–1901.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grunert, K. G., Dean, M., Raats, M., Nielsen, N. A., Lumbers, M., & Food in Later Life Team, (2007). A measure of satisfaction with food-related life. Appetite, 49, 486–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gustafsson, K., Andersson, I., Andersson, J., Fjellström, C., & Sidenvall, B. (2003). Older women’s perceptions of independence versus dependence in food-related work. Public Health Nutrition, 20(3), 237–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatcher, C. B., Madhumita, B., & Moorman, D. C. (2000). Effect of retirement on consumption. Consumer Interests Annual, 46, online publication Proceedings: http://www.consumerinterests.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3420.

  • Haveman-Nies, A., de Groot, L., & van Staveren, W. (2003). American Journal of Public Health, 93(2), 318–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hellström, Y., Andersson, M., & Hallberg, I. R. (2004). Quality of life among older people in Sweden receiving help from informal and/or formal helpers at home or in special accommodations. Health and Social Care in the Community, 12(6), 504–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, K., Boeing, H., Dufour, A., Volatier, J. L., Telman, J., Virtanen, M., Becker, W., De Henauw, S.; EFCOSUM Group (2002). Estimating the distribution of usual dietary intake by short-term measurements. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Supplement 56, S53–S62.

  • Hollingsworth, P. (2003). Marketing food to older americans. In A developing foods Special report FOOD AND THE AGING CONSUMER. Food Technology, 57(7), 28–31.

  • Hughes, G., Bennett, K. M., & Hetherington, M. M. (2004). Old and alone: barriers to healthy eating in older men living on their own. Appetite, 43, 269–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johansen, D., Friis, K., Skovenbork, E., & Gronbaek, M. (2006). Food buying habits of people who buy wine or beer: cross sectional study. British Medical Journal, 332, 519–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jopp, D., & Smith, J. (2006). Resources and life-management strategies as determinants of successful aging: on the protective effect of selection, optimization and compensation. Psychology and aging, 21(2), 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keating, N., Otfinowski, P., Wenger, C., Fast, J., & Derksen, L. (2003). Understanding the caring capacity of informal networks of frail seniors: a case for care networks. Ageing and Society, 23(1), 115–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, T., & Caraher, M. (1998). Access to healthy foods: part II. Food poverty and shopping deserts: what are the implications for health promotion policy and practice? Health Education Journal, 57, 202–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzola, E. (1991). Le basi conoscitive della nutrizione nell’anziano. In: Alimentazione e comportamenti alimentari nell’anziano ricoverato, Schede informative n. 1/92. Milano, Istituto Scotti Bassani, pp. 4–20. [The knowledge bases of nutrition in elders. In: Feeding and food behaviours in hospitalized elder.]

  • Leventhal, R. C. (1997). Aging consumers and their effects on the marketplace. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14(4), 276–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locher, J. L., Ritchie, C. S., Roth, D. L., Sawyer Baker, P., Bodner, E. V., & Allman, R. M. (2005). Social isolation, support, and capital and nutritional risk in an older sample: ethnic and gender differences. Social Science and Medicine, 60, 747–761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J. W. (1971). Individual dietary surveys, purposes and methods. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics, 13, 110–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, W. A., Shifflett, P. A., & Picou, J. S. (1989). Social support, stressful events, strain, dietary intake, and the elderly. Medical Care, 27, 140–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meneely, L., Burns, A., & Strugnell, C. (2008). Food retailers’ perceptions of older consumers in Northern Ireland. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 32(4), 341–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merry, B., & Phillips J. (1981). Basic Gerontology. In: Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism. Endocrinology and Ageing. London Saunders, 1.

  • Messer, E. (1990). Sociocultural considerations in data collection and interpretation, in Food Habits in Later Life, chap 27, Brown University, World Hunger Program, 782–804. http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/APJCN/FHILL/.

  • Metz, D. H. (2000). Mobility of older people and their quality of life. Transport policy, 7, 149–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moschis, G. P. (1996). Gerontographics: Life Stage Segmentation for Marketing Strategy Development. Westport: Quorum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moschis, G. P., Lee, E., & Muthur, A. (1997). Targeting the mature market: opportunities and challenges. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14, 282–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moschis, G. P. (2003). Marketing to older adults: an updated overview of present knowledge and practice. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 20, 516–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nocon, A., & Pearson, M. (2000). The roles of friends and neighbours in providing support for older people. Ageing and Society, 20, 341–367. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nydahl, M., Andersson, J., Sidenvall, B., Gustafsson, K., Fjellström, C. (2003). Food and nutrient intake in a group of self-managing elderly Swedish women. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. 7(2), 67–74. Paper http://www.consumerinterests.org/files/public/effects.PDF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulin, G. D., & Duly, A. L. (2002). Planning ahead: Consumer expenditure patterns in retirement. Monthly Labor Review, 125(7), 38–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pekkarinen, M. (1970). Methodology in the collection of food consumption data. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics, 12, 148–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew, S., Mizerski, K., & Donovan, R. (2005). The three “big issues” for older supermarket shoppers. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 22(6), 306–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, F. (2003). Nutrition for healthy ageing. British Nutrition Foundation, Nutrition Bulletin, 28, 253–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, R., & Beverley, J. K. (2003). Food preference and consumption among the elderly. In A developing foods Special report FOOD AND THE AGING CONSUMER. Food Technology, 57(7), 32–40.

  • Position of the American Dietetic Association, American Society for Nutrition, and Society for Nutrition Education: Food and Nutrition Programs for Community-Residing Older Adults (2010). Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(3): 463–472.

  • Prothro, J. W., & Rosenbloom, C. A. (1999). Description of a mixed ethnic, elderly population. II. Food group behaviour and related non-food characteristics. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 54A, M325–M328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovner, B. W., & Ganguli, M. (1998). Depression and disability associated with impaired vision: the MoVIES Project. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 46, 617–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS. (1990). SAS Procedure Guide. Cary: SAS Institute Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholderer, J., Brunsø, K., Bredahl, L., & Grunert, K. G. (2004). Cross-cultural validity of the food-related lifestyle instrument (FRL) within Western Europe. Appetite, 42, 197–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shatenstein, B., Nadon, S., & Ferland, G. (2004). Determinants of diet quality among Quebecers aged 55–74. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 8, 83–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shock, N. W. (1977). Systems integration. In: Finch C.E. and Hayflick L. (eds): Handbook of Biology and Aging. London, van Nostrand Reinbold, 639.

  • Sidenvall, B., Nydahl, M., & Fjellström, C. (2001). Managing food shopping and cooking: the experience of older Swedish women. Ageing and Society, 21, 151–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sobal, J. (1998). Cultural comparison research designs in food, eating, and nutrition. Food Quality and Preference, 9(6), 385–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoddart, H., Whitley, E., Harvey, I., & Sharp, D. (2002). What determines the use of home care services by elderly people? Health and Social Care in the Community, 10(5), 348–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundström, G. (1994). Care by families: An overview of trends. In Caring for Frail Elderly People: New Directions in Care, Social Policy Studies, 14, Paris: OECD.

  • Thomas, T. (2003). Towards a happier old age: Psychological perspectives on successful ageing. Australian Psychologist, 38(1), 11–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomassini, C., & Glacer, K. (2007). Family networks and support in later life: the perspective of the demographer. In Proceeding of the XLIII Scientific Meeting of the Società Italiana di Statistica (Italian Society of Statistics). Plenary and Invited Sessions. 14–16 June 2006, 169–180. Turin (Italy): CLEUP Ed.

  • Vaillant, G. E., Meyer, S. E., Mukamal, K., & Soldz, S. (1998). Are social supports in late midlife a cause or a result of successful physical ageing? Psychological Medicine, 28, 1159–1168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, M., Adamson, A., Bunting, J. et al. (2000). Do ‘food deserts’ exist? A multilevel geographical analysis of the relationship between retail food access, socioeconomic position and dietary intake. Research project funded by the Food Standards Agency, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

  • Whitehead, M. (1998). Food deserts: what’s in a name? Health Education Journal, 57, 189–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willett, W. (1990). Nutritional epidemiology. New York-Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, L. C., Alexander, A., & Lumbers, M. (2004). Food access and dietary variety among older people. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 32(2), 109–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, D. B. (1997). Older markets and the new marketing paradigm. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14(4), 294–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wrigley, N. (2002). ‘Food Deserts’ in British cities: policy context and research priorities. Urban Studies, 39(11), 2029–2040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wrigley, N., Warm, D., Margetts, B., & Whelan, A. (2002). Assessing the impact of improved retail access on diet in a ‘food desert’: a preliminary report. Urban Studies, 39(11), 2061–2082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The data used in this article belong to the European Research Project Food in Later Life. Choosing foods, eating meals: sustaining independence and quality of life (2004–2005) directed by Dr. Margaret Lumbers and Dr. Monique Raats from the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) and financed by the European Commission (QLK1CT200202447).

Authors share the responsibility of the paper, discussed and revised all the draft versions.

Monique Raats and Margaret Lumbers coordination of the whole project “Food in Later Life - Choosing foods, eating meals: Sustaining independence and quality of life in older people” (abbreviated SENIOR FOOD-QOL - acronym SFQ).

Sara Arber and Kate Davidson coordination of the “WP5 - The role of formal and informal networks in food procurement, preparation and consumption” including the tasks the paper refers to. They provided fundamental ideas for the implementation of the work, specifically in refining the research questions; moreover they kindly supervised the paper content.

Aida Turrini writing group chairperson, responsible for the specific design of the analysis carried out to achieve the presented results; responsible for the implementation of WP5 in Italy.

Birgit Schuhmacher did the first qualitative analysis of the huge amount of materials provided by all the partners filling the templates. She kindly revised the second draft providing an important contribution.

Laura D’Addezio did the quantitative analysis merging data provided by the English team using the SAS software and discussed the results.

Co-authors extracted, arranged and provided narratives:

Italy: Laura D’Addezio, Fabrizia Maccati

United Kingdom: Sara Arber, Kate Davidson, Monique Raats, Margaret Lumbers,

Denmark: Klaus Grunert

Germany: Birgit Schuhmacher,Cornelie Pfau

Poland: Katarzyna Kozłowska, Anna Szczecińska

Portugal: Cecilia de Morais, Cláudia Afonso, Maria Daniel Vaz de Almeida

Spain: Silvia Bofill, Yolanda Lacasta

Sweden: Margaretha Nydahl, Jenny Ekblad

Romana Roccaldo and Claudia Arganini earlier revised the draft

Brenda Davy did the final revision of the whole paper

Many thanks to Helen Marshall for the data files she arranged and provided to the whole Food in Later Life Team.

Many thanks to the Swedish team for the permission to use their filled in templates as examples for all of us.

Authors thanks very much indeed all seniors that participated in the study providing their experience. All participants signed their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Consortia

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aida Turrini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Turrini, A., D’Addezio, L., Maccati, F. et al. The Informal Networks in Food Procurement by Older People—A Cross European Comparison. Ageing Int 35, 253–275 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9060-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9060-5

Keywords

Navigation