title: Exploration of functional food consumption in older adults in relation to food matrices, bioactive ingredients, and health.
abstract: The functional food industry is expanding, yet research into consumer perceptions of functional foods is limited. Older adults could benefit from functional foods due to age-related food and health issues. This research gathered information about functional foods from community-dwelling older adults (n = 200) who completed a researcher-administered questionnaire about consumption, food matrices, bioactive ingredients, and health areas addressed through functional foods. Overall prevalence of functional food consumption was found to be 93.0%. Commonly consumed foods included yogurt with probiotics (56.0%), eggs with omega-3 fatty acids (37.0%), and bread with fiber (35.5%). Functional food matrices primarily consumed were yogurt (51.5%), bread (44.0%), and cereal (40.0%). The primary functional food bioactive consumed was dietary fiber (79.5%). Most participants (86.2%) indicated that they consume functional foods to improve health, and the major areas specified were osteoporosis/bone health (67.5%), heart disease (61.0%), and arthritis (55.0%). These results inform health professionals regarding the potential of functional foods to support health among older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Meagan N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Stratton
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheeshka
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001939:Bread; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002523:Edible Grain; D004531:Eggs; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D055951:Functional Food; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D019936:Probiotics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015014:Yogurt
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3