Trust, agency, gendered roles and generational influences in ageing foodscapes: a qualitative study on everyday food practices among older adults in Spain

Abstract

Everyday food practices can improve the quality of life in older adults (aged ≥65 years). Qualitative evidence on how older adults in Spain experience everyday food practices and dietary changes remains scarce. This study explored older adults' perceptions of food-related practices, including food purchasing and cooking, and identified the social and physical environmental changes shaping these habits. We conducted a qualitative study, from October 2023 to March 2024, in two Spanish cities, Seville and Lleida. Using purposive sampling, we recruited 72 participants who met the predefined eligibility criteria. In each city, we conducted eight interviews and four focus groups. We audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed all data using thematic analysis. Participants described marked changes in both their purchasing patterns and local food environments, including the decline of traditional food stores, a perceived deterioration in the quality of fresh foods, and a loss of trust in retailers. Food purchasing and meal preparation were substantially shaped by gender roles, mobility limitations, and purchasing power. Female participants living with their partners reported more often being responsible for shopping and cooking, and female living alone often described cooking as a caregiving practice. Generational traits also influenced cooking habits and food preservation practices. Our findings suggest that older adults’ relationships with food retailers, together with their individual agency in food choice, may reflect emerging patterns of trust in the retail food environment. These findings may help inform public policies aimed at promoting gender equality in everyday food practices such as cooking and food purchasing.