title: Knowledge, perceptions and preferences of elderly regarding protein-enriched functional food.
abstract: Promoting protein consumption in the elderly population may contribute to improving the quality of their later years in life. Our study aimed to explore knowledge, perceptions and preferences of elderly consumers regarding protein-enriched food. We conducted three focus groups with independently living (ID) elderly (N = 24, Mage = 67 years) and three with elderly living in a residential home (RH) (N = 18, Mage = 83 years). Both the ID and RH elderly were predominantly sceptical about functional food in general. Confusion, distrust and a perceived lack of personal relevance were main perceived barriers to purchasing and consuming these products, although a majority of the participants did report occasionally consuming at least one type of functional food. For the ID elderly, medical advice was an important facilitator that could overcome barriers to purchasing and consuming protein-enriched food, indicating the importance of personal relevance for this group. For the RH elderly, in contrast, sensory appeal of protein-enriched foods was a facilitator. Carrier preferences were similar for the two groups; the elderly preferred protein-enriched foods based on healthy products that they consumed frequently. Future studies should explore ways to deal with the confusion and distrust regarding functional food within the heterogeneous population of elderly.
authors.affiliation: Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: lotte.vanderzanden@wur.nl.
authors.forename: Lotte D T
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: van der Zanden
authors.affiliation: Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Kleef
authors.affiliation: Food and Biobased Research, Consumer Science & Intelligent Systems, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: René A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Wijk
authors.affiliation: Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hans C M
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: van Trijp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D055951:Functional Food; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: Distrust; Focus group; Functional food; Personal relevance; Protein; Senior