Figure 1: Time-related aspects of food consumption by the active elderly
Source: Designed by the authors
The future oriented model of quality and healthy food consumption behavior
by the elderly
The model represented in Figure 2 has three fundamental starting points:
• Economic and societal (cultural) factors;
• Individual factors;
• Food product factors.
The model has been elaborated based upon the classic Pilgrim model of food
consumption behavior (1957). The fundamental determinant of this model is
perception. The model starts from the mental and chemical characteristics of a food
product influencing the physiological needs. While shopping and eating, one is
striving for a balance between the perceived reality and objective reality (cognitive
dissonance). This indicates that there is often a difference between what we think
in relation to food consumption and what we actually do.
Analyzing the economic and societal factors, it is important to take into
consideration the changing income situation of the elderly and their relationships
with spouses and any household members. Given this changing situation, the
elderly have to be efficient and balance consumption with income.