TY - JOUR
T1 - Food Activities and Identity Maintenance Among Community-Living Older Adults: A Grounded Theory Study
AU - Atwal, Anita
PY - 2015/10/1
Y1 - 2015/10/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Engaging in food activities and maintaining identity are each important for productive aging. This study explored the role of food activities in identity maintenance among community-living older adults. METHOD: We used a grounded theory approach to analyze data collected in semistructured interviews with 39 predominantly White, British older adults living in West London. RESULTS: Two lifelong food identities-"food lover" and "nonfoodie"-were maintained in the processes of participation and maintenance and threat and compensation. The process change in meaning and identity explained the development of a third food identity-"not bothered"-when participants experienced being alone at the table, deteriorating health, and worry about the cost of food. CONCLUSION: Food activities that are a pleasurable and important part of daily life contribute to the maintenance of important identities and mental well-being in older adults. Copyright © 2015 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc
AB - OBJECTIVE: Engaging in food activities and maintaining identity are each important for productive aging. This study explored the role of food activities in identity maintenance among community-living older adults. METHOD: We used a grounded theory approach to analyze data collected in semistructured interviews with 39 predominantly White, British older adults living in West London. RESULTS: Two lifelong food identities-"food lover" and "nonfoodie"-were maintained in the processes of participation and maintenance and threat and compensation. The process change in meaning and identity explained the development of a third food identity-"not bothered"-when participants experienced being alone at the table, deteriorating health, and worry about the cost of food. CONCLUSION: Food activities that are a pleasurable and important part of daily life contribute to the maintenance of important identities and mental well-being in older adults. Copyright © 2015 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc
U2 - 10.5014/ajot.2015.016139
DO - 10.5014/ajot.2015.016139
M3 - Article
SN - 0272-9490
JO - American Journal of Occupational Therapy
JF - American Journal of Occupational Therapy
ER -