Sharon O Flaherty
Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
The ageing of the population going forward will embody one of the most momentous demographic and social developments encountered by Irish society. Falling fertility rates and ever-increasing life expectancy will see the number of older people aged 60 or more almost double, with those over the age of 75 expected to almost triple by the year 2050. Older individuals are the fastest growing segment of the worldâ??s population, yet they are often overlooked by the food industry, with most food products targeted at those aged 21 to 49. Disruptions in diet and eating behaviours are common among older adults however, little is known about the processes underlying these disruptions. The central goal for assisting individuals to age well is promoting a healthy and nutritious diet however, â??Eating behaviour is the result of a complex interaction of physical, psychosocial, cultural and environmental factors that impact food choices and dietary practicesâ?, and addressing the barriers of access to food is extremely important to ensure adequate food consumption in older adults, (Brownie & Coutts, 2014, p. 182). Conversely, the extent to which food shopping can constitute a manageable part of older peopleâ??s daily/weekly routines is strongly influenced by their economic means and health status. The aim of this study was to identify potentials barriers and motivators for food intake in the ageing population. Qualitative methods based on a constructivist grounded theory approach, guided by a critical Realist worldview were used. A mixture of intensive interviews and unstructured non-participant observations were chosen to reach the research objectives, as they fit grounded theory methodology. The sample criteria included those over the age of 65, living independent lives, and who were responsible for most of their shopping/cooking needs. A substantive theory of why and how older adults eating behaviours change in later life was developed.
Sharon O Flaherty is currently completing her MA in research and is currently in the process of transferring to PhD at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) in Ireland. She recently graduated with a BA honours degree in Applied Social Science in Social Care Work at LIT. She received the Social Care Ireland award for academic excellence across her course. She has won two awards for research presentations on her undergraduate thesis titled ‘Exploring Food Insecurity among Single Parent Families in Ireland’. Sharon has submitted a Journal for publication with the 'Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies' (IJASS) titled 'Exploring Food Insecurity among Single Parent Families in Ireland'. She has recently been successful in her application for a bursary worth €2500 with the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE). She is currently working as a Tutor at Limerick Institute of Technology.
Email:sharonoflaherty@rocketmail.com
