Abstract
This paper shares the initial findings of an ongoing research project in Spain, which explores the impact of loneliness on the eating habits of older adults from an ethnographic perspective. The study reveals that loneliness—especially when it involves eating alone—negatively affects the dietary habits of this group, leading to reduced food intake and poorer nutritional quality. Participants describe how the lack of companionship diminishes their motivation to prepare healthy meals and can result in the consumption of pre-cooked or less varied dishes. These early findings highlight the importance of considering social and emotional factors in nutrition and point to the need for interventions that promote companionship and social support during meals in order to improve quality of life in old age. An ethnographic approach offers valuable insights into the everyday experiences, routines, and emotional landscapes of older adults. By engaging closely with participants in their natural environments, this methodology allows researchers to uncover subtle dynamics and meanings around food, loneliness, and social interaction that might be overlooked in more quantitative studies. It sheds light not only on what people eat, but also on how and why they eat the way they do.
Presenters
David CondeAssociate Professor, Nursing, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain Lorenzo Mariano
Professor, Anthropology , University of extremadura, Spain Borja Rivero Jiménez
Assistant Professor (PhD), Department of Philosophy and Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
LONELINESS, AGING, EATING HABITS, ETHNOGRAPHY, SOCIAL SUPPORT
