Importance of physical and functional properties of foods targeted to seniors

Abstract

The paper presents nutritional problems of elderly people from an international perspective, due to the diversity of nutritional recommendations. The acceptance and readiness to purchase functional foods by consumers has been widely studied, but no studies have been conducted on the attitude of older consumers to innovative products with health consequences. The perception of functional food by the elderly and the analysis of factors determining the purchase of food that improves health are of great importance. The first part of the study provides an overview of functional products available on the market, against a background of diverse nutritional needs of older people. In the second part of the study, the opinion of seniors on the role and place of special food for older people in their diet, as well as possibilities and limitations were analyzed. Research shows that the market for older consumers is not homogeneous, because the reasoning of health and health determinants is different. There is a group of consumers, which are looking for healthy food. There are also critical and cautious consumers and consumers of natural products. Different themes and barriers to the use of products with health claims have been identified and described.

Keywords

• Functional food
• Nutrition
• Older people