title: Factors Influencing Food Choices Among Older Adults in the Rural Western USA.
abstract: Nutrition is an essential component in promoting health and quality of life into the older adults years. The purpose of this qualitative research is to explore how the rural food environment influences food choices of older adults. Four focus groups were conducted with 33 older adults (50 years of age and older) residing in rural Montana communities. Four major themes related to factors influencing food choices among rural older adults emerged from this study: perception of the rural community environment, support as a means of increasing food access, personal access to food sources, and dietary factors. The findings from this current study warrant further research and promotion of specifically tailored approaches that influence the food choices of older adults in the rural western USA, including the developing and expanding public transportation systems, increasing availability of local grocers with quality and affordable food options, increasing awareness and decreasing stigma surrounding community food programs, and increasing nutrition education targeting senior health issues.
authors: Food and Health Lab, Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, 960 Technology Boulevard, Room 215, Bozeman, MT, 59718, USA. cbykershanks@montana.edu.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Byker Shanks
authors: Censeo Consulting Group, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Haack
authors: Community Health, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717-3540, USA.
authors: Dawn
authors: D
authors: Tarabochia
authors: Dietetic Internship Program, Western Carolina University, Asheville, NC, 28723, USA.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Bates
authors: Environmental Health, Gallatin City-County Health Department, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: Christenson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012934:Social Isolation
keywords: Eating behaviors; Food access; Nutrition; Seniors