Abstract
Older people are an increasing section of the UK population as part of what has been described as a global ageing phenomenon. It is projected that by the year 2021, 12.3 million people in the UK will be over pensionable age. It is suggested that the decentralisation of many food retailers to edge-of-town and out-of-town locations has resulted in some older people experiencing difficulty in accessing food shops. Older people who experience the greatest difficulties in food shopping are considered to be at the greatest nutritional risk. Varied diets are generally considered to be associated with increased nutrient intake and healthier diets. The present study examined how older people residing in Guildford accessed food shops. The study considered the extent to which the availability of food shops, the stores older people use and their attitudes with regard to diet and health may influence their dietary variety. Shopping behaviour and dietary variety were investigated using focus groups, a face-to-face questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A dietary variety score system, developed from the FFQ, is employed in this study. Attitudes with regard to healthy eating were measured using questions based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Neither access to food shops nor store choice was found to have an influence on dietary variety. Store choice was primarily influenced by respondents' ability to reach food stores, namely in terms of the method of transport available and their perceived ease of access to the store Respondents reported shopping more frequently or relying on friends or relatives, in order to maintain their independence and reach food shops. Attitudes to diet and health were found to influence dietary variety. Findings suggest that older people in Guildford employ coping strategies as a means of reaching food shops, obtaining food and maintaining independence and social inclusion.