Perceived Resources and Satisfaction With Food-Related Life Among Ecuadorian Elderly

Abstract

Objective: To identify variables that explain satisfaction with food-related life in Ecuadorian elderly people.

Design: Stratified random sampling with proportional affixation within each retirement home was conducted based on the rate of rurality, gender, age, and living circumstances.

Setting: Retirement homes in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Participants: The sample consisted of 817 elderly people of both genders (47.5% women; mean age 73.7 years; SD 7.45 years; range 60-101 years) registered in retirement homes located in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Main outcome measures: Satisfaction With Life scale, satisfaction with food-related life (SWFL), and 22 food-related perceived resources.

Analysis: Generalized linear models.

Results: Gender, food consumption expenditure, satisfaction with economic situation, unhealthy days, family importance, food-related lifestyles, food neophobia, and the sum of 22 resources were found to be associated with SWFL. In addition, the Pearson bivariate correlation between the Satisfaction With Life scale and SWFL was .38 (P < .01).

Conclusions: Perceived resources contributed to SWFL and the greatest satisfaction with life was observed among older adults who were more satisfied with their food.

Keywords: older adults; perceived resources; quality of life; satisfaction with food-related life.