Estudio sobre las percepciones relacionadas con alimentación saludable y prácticas de alimentación de los adultos mayores del cantón Cuenca 2021

Abstract

Background: Diet is an important determinant of health and has been compromised by physiological, economic, and social changes that occur with aging. General objective: To analyze the perceptions about healthy eating and eating practices of older adults in the Canton of Cuenca. 2021 Methodology: Qualitative phenomenological study, with a "snowball" type sampling. Twenty older adults participated, 10 from rural areas and 10 from urban areas. For the collection of information, an in-depth semi-structured interview was used. Data analysis was performed using the Atlas ti program. Results: The older adults of Cuenca have as a perception of healthy eating a diet based on fruits, vegetables and white meats, free of chemicals for their growth or maturation, with a minimum consumption of saturated fats, sausages, simple carbohydrates, salt and sugar. , to prevent diseases and complications of their comorbidities. It was also possible to find that the perceptions and food practices of each one have similarities typical of the Cuencana culture; however, the different socioeconomic situations, different educational level, different areas of residence, different environments during their adult life and the physiological changes of aging, can cause variations within their perception of healthy eating and the eating practices of each older adult. Conclusion: Eating practices are directly related to the perception of a healthy diet; however, they are influenced by factors such as: residence, customs, traditions, socioeconomic situation, accompaniment and physiological changes typical of aging.