Evaluation of nutritional attitudes and behaviors of individuals aged 65 and over applying to a Family Health Center: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Nutritional behaviors in older adults directly affect their health status and quality of life and play an important role in geriatric assessment. This study aimed to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the nutritional attitudes and behaviors of individuals aged 65 and over who applied to a family health center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of twelve items—six socio-demographic questions, one anthropometric measurement question, and five lifestyle-related questions—and a semi-structured interview form with four open-ended questions designed to explore the nutritional experiences of individuals aged 65 and over in depth. The obtained responses were organized into themes, sub-themes, and categories. RESULTS: The study included 18 older adults, comprising 10 women (55.6%) and 8 men (44.4%). The mean age of the participants was 73.52 ± 5.88 years. The findings regarding nutritional attitudes and behaviors were grouped under three main themes: dietary habits, chronic diseases and diet, and social and environmental factors. CONCLUSION: Considering the multidimensional factors influencing the nutritional behaviors of older adults supports the development of more holistic approaches in primary healthcare. Family physicians play a critical role in providing healthcare by incorporating these factors into geriatric assessment and follow-up processes. Keywords: Family medicine, nutrition, older adults, primary care.