Investigating the eating patterns and expectations for the 60+: Insights for the development of new “ready-to-eat” products

Abstract

The increase in the 60+ population brings new challenges and opportunities for the productive sector and academia. Understanding consumer attitudes towards food is crucial for developing appealing, nutritious products. This study explored consumption patterns, health perceptions foods and beverages, and expectations of ready-to-eat products among 469 self-sufficient Brazilians aged 60 and over. Using the free list methodology, participants responded about daily consumed foods and drinks that they consider: i) “feel good”, ii) “healthy”, and iii) “unhealthy”. They also evaluated their interest, importance, and perceived healthiness for three ready-to-eat product alternatives: “Mixed fruit drink”, “Beef strips,” and “Fortified rice and beef” using a 7-point Likert scale. Socio-economic status was recorded. Results showed that elderly individuals associate “feeling good” with natural or minimally processed foods, mainly of vegetable origin. Participants discerned the healthiness of most industrialized foods they consumed. Significant differences were observed in participants' expectations towards the importance, interest, and healthiness of the prototypes. The “Mixed fruit drink” achieved the highest average general expectations and the “Fortified rice and beef” the lowest. Three groups were identified based on their general expectations of the ready-to-eat products: positive, neutral, and negative. This study provided valuable insights into the food and beverage consumption patterns of elderly Brazilians and highlighted products with market potential, such as enriched fruit-based beverages. It also emphasized the importance of clear nutritional information to support positive perceptions of ready-to-eat products, particularly those containing beef, which can benefit elderly nutrition when consumed as part of a balanced diet.