Attitudes towards healthy eating and its determinants among older adults in a deprived region of Hungary: implications for the National Healthy Aging Program

Abstract

A healthy diet is a key determinant of successful aging. However, the psychological, social, and physiological changes associated with ageing often disrupt dietary behaviours. Hungary has one of the highest rates of chronic age-related diseases in the European Union, exacerbated by unhealthy dietary patterns and rapid population aging. This study evaluates attitudes and barriers to healthy eating among older adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged region of Hungary, identifying determinants of these attitudes across different age groups. A cross-sectional survey sampled 678 adults aged 18 and older from Northeast Hungary, assessing their beliefs on healthy eating through an attitude score (range: 9–45). Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to explore relationships between mental health, self-perceived health, and attitudes toward healthy eating. The mean attitude score was 31.47 (± 5.14), with older adults (≥ 65 years) showing significantly greater uncertainty about dietary choices. The cost of healthy food was the most frequently reported barrier, regardless of age. Regression results revealed that older adults with higher well-being (B = 0.03, p = 0.026), life satisfaction (B = 0.40, p = 0.005), and self-perceived health (fair: B = 2.20, p = 0.003; good/very good: B = 1.96, p = 0.031) were more likely to have positive attitudes toward healthy eating. These results emphasize the importance of addressing both mental and physical health in educational interventions to promote healthier diets. Tailored approaches addressing affordability and accessibility of healthy foods are critical to advancing Hungary’s National Healthy Aging Program and mitigating dietary risk factors among vulnerable populations.