RT Journal Article
T1 Loneliness, Food Practices, and Ageing: The Inclusion of Qualitative Evidence in Health Promotion Programmes
A1 Freire Paz, Elena
A1 Rivero Jiménez, Borja
A1 Conde Caballero, David
A1 Mariano Juárez, Lorenzo
K1 Loneliness
K1 Social isolation
K1 Food practices
K1 Ageing
K1 Qualitative evidence
AB Background/Objectives: Social sciences have described the 21st century as the ‘era of loneliness’, a time marked by the subjective and often distressing experience of lacking meaningful social connections. While loneliness has been linked to poorer health out-comes, its relationship with dietary practices remains underexplored. Methods: This eth-nographic study examines the impact of loneliness on the eating habits of older adults, based on fieldwork conducted in Galicia and Extremadura (Spain) between November 2024 and April 2025. Using semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and participant observa-tion in domestic settings, we examined everyday food practices. Data were examined us-ing thematic analysis. Results: Participants acknowledged the connection between diet and health, although their dietary practices often failed to meet nutritional recommenda-tions. Loneliness and social isolation influenced food choices and cooking routines, often leading to less nutritious diets. These effects were shaped by gender and social class. Many participants associated the decline of shared meals and food-related sociability with a diminished quality of life. The absence of a meaningful companion was experienced as a profound loss, prompting various coping strategies. Conclusions: The findings high-light that food holds both nutritional and symbolic value. Health promotion strategies should address the social and emotional dimensions of eating. Loneliness disrupts food practices at multiple levels, calling for public health responses that integrate biological, cultural, and care perspectives.
PB MDPI
SN 2072-6643
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43460
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43460
LA eng
NO Freire Paz, E.; Rivero Jimenez, B.; Conde Caballero, D.; Mariano Juarez, L. Loneliness, Food Practices, and Ageing: The Inclusion of Qualitative Evidence in Health Promotion Programmes. Nutrients 2025, 17, 2906. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/nu17172906
NO This publication is part of the R&D&i project ‘Food, Ageing, and Loneliness. Culture and Contemporary Ethnographies’ (PID2022-137970OB-I00), funded by the Spanish Research Agency (10.13039/501100011033) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026