Older Adults’ Perceptions of the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide: A Qualitative Study

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
5 April 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Major changes were made to Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) in 2019. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of older adults toward this newest version.
Methods: Older adults were invited to participate via newsletters sent to older adults and retirees’ organizations in the Province of Quebec. Participants completed an online survey about their baseline familiarity with the 2019 CFG using a 5-point Likert scale and took part in an individual semi-structured online interview, which explored their perceptions toward the 2019 CFG. A thematic qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts was performed.
Results: Fifty-eight older adults (>65 years, 30 women, 28 men, including 19 consumers and 39 non-consumers of plant-based protein (PBP) foods) participated in the study. Older adults were mostly familiar with the 2019 CFG and had a positive perception of its features. They appreciated the design, proposed recipes, and healthy eating recommendations. Perceptions about the three food groups were mixed, mainly regarding the decreased emphasis on dairy products. Some appreciated that animal proteins were less prominent, while others raised issues on how to integrate PBP into their diet. Perceptions appeared to be influenced by sex and PBP consumption.
Conclusion: Older adults in the Province of Quebec view most of the 2019 CFG recommendations positively. Our observations may be useful to dietitians and public health practitioners when developing strategies to improve adherence.

Résumé

Objectif. Des changements majeurs ont été apportés au Guide alimentaire canadien (GAC) en 2019. Cette étude visait à comprendre les perceptions des ainés à l’égard de cette nouvelle version.
Méthodes. Les personnes âgées ont été invitées à participer via des bulletins d’information envoyés aux organismes de personnes âgées et de retraités de la province de Québec. Les participants ont répondu à un sondage en ligne sur leur niveau de référence connaissance du CFG 2019 sur une échelle de Likert en 5 points et participation à un entretien individuel en ligne semi-structuré, qui a exploré leurs perceptions vers le CFG 2019. Les transcriptions des entrevues ont fait l’objet d’une analyse qualitative thématique.
Résultats. Cinquante-huit personnes âgées (>65 ans, 30 femmes, 28 hommes, dont 19 consommateurs et 39 non-consommateurs de protéines végétales (PV) aliments) ont participé à l’étude. Les aînés connaissaient pour la plupart le GAG 2019 et avaient une perception positive de ses caractéristiques. Ils appréciaient le graphisme, les recettes proposées et les recommandations en matière de saine alimentation. Les perceptions quant aux trois catégories d’aliments étaient mixtes, principalement en ce qui concerne la diminution de l’importance accordée aux produits laitiers. Certains ont apprécié que les protéines animales soient moins mises en évidence, tandis que d’autres ont soulevé des questions sur la manière d’intégrer les PV à leur alimentation. Les perceptions semblaient influencées par le sexe et la consommation de PV.
Conclusions. Les aînés du Québec ont une perception positive de la plupart des recommandations du GAC 2019. Nos observations pourraient être utiles pour les diététistes et les professionnels de la santé publique lors de l’élaboration de stratégies visant à améliorer l’adhésion.

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Funding Source: This research was supported by the Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), and Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ).
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 85Number 2June 2024
Pages: 111 - 114
Editor: Naomi Cahill

History

Version of record online: 5 April 2024

Key Words

  1. Older adults
  2. Canada’s Food Guide
  3. qualitative research
  4. perceptions

Mots-clés

  1. aînés
  2. Guide alimentaire canadien
  3. recherche qualitative
  4. perceptions

Authors

Affiliations

Virginie Drolet-Labelle DtP, MSc
Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, QC
Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Québec, QC
Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec – Université Laval and VITAM-Centre de recherche en santé durable, CIUSSS-CN, Québec, QC
École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, QC
Institut sur le vieillissement et la participation sociale des aînés - Université Laval, Québec, QC
Alexandra Bédard DtP, PhD
Vicky Drapeau DtP, PhD
Sophie Desroches DtP, PhD
Faculté de pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC
Département d’éducation physique, Université Laval, Québec, QC

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