Paper short abstract:

In this paper we explore the sociocultural perceptions of the risks associated with the food consumed by non-dependent people over 65 years of age in Spain. In conclusion, the results of this study can help us better understand their representations about safe, healthy and sustainable food.

Paper long abstract:

This ethnographic-based research in combination with various mixed techniques, was carried out between 2021-2022 in rural and urban municipalities of the autonomous communities of Andalusia (AND), Catalonia (CAT) and the Valencian Community (COV) thanks to the support of the I+D project “Eating matters: Challenges of an inclusive, healthy and sustainable food for better ageing”. In total, three field work stays were carried out in the rural municipalities of Humilladero (AND), Teresa (CV) and Terres de l'Ebre (CAT), as well as in the cities of Granada, Barcelona and Valencia. 115 people were interviewed and 58 food diaries and 51 free listings were applied to men and women of different ages and of medium to low income.

For the analysis of this study we have taken into account biographical characteristics, food culture, socio-economic conditions, health situation, age and, above all, the feminisation of tasks related to food provisioning and preparation. The universe of older people is diverse and they are concerned about certain risks regarding food and manage them in the best possible way, which is why we believe that situations such as repeated diet, unwanted eating alone and access to cheap and not very diverse food, among others, end up affecting life quality and health. In conclusion, we hope this paper sheds some light on how risk perceptions and management in diverse and changing situations can contribute to the understanding of what safe, healthy and sustainable food means for this group.