The Psychology of Eating: From Healthy to Disordered Behavior

Healthy Eating 25

of Health, 2000–2001) reported that although 86 percent of adults surveyed
ate less than the five recommended portions of fruit and vegetables a day
(mean 2.8 per day), this had increased by 0.4 portions per day since the
previous survey in 1986–1987. The results also showed that adults con-
sumed only 0.3 portions of oily fish per day compared to the recommended
level of one portion, although this had also increased since last assessed.
Adult diets were also found to be too high in sugar, salt, and alcohol and
deficient in iron and vitamin D. Compared to 10 years previously, the intake
of red meat, meat-based dishes, and processed meat and saturated fat had
decreased.

The elderly

It is estimated that there are currently 580 million individuals aged over
60 in the world today and that the proportion of elderly people in the
West is higher than it has ever been. This is due to three factors. First, there
is a cohort effect, with many children being born over 60 years ago who have
now become the elderly population; second, there are fewer children being
born now, resulting in a large percentage of the population being elderly;
and, third, life expectancy has increased such that more people live to an
older age. Several studies have explored the diets of this elderly population.
Overall, this research indicates that energy intake declines in old age and
that malnutrition in the elderly is associated with dementia, depression, social
isolation, institutionalization, and loneliness (Schlettwein-Gsell et al., 1991).
One large-scale study took place in 1988 –1999 and collected dietary
information from 2,586 elderly people aged between 70 and 75 living in
19 small towns in 12 countries across Europe (de Groot, van Staveren, and
Hautvast, 1991). The study used a questionnaire and collected data con-
cerning all aspects of food intake as well as demographic, mobility, and
health factors. Follow-up data were then collected in 1993. Although
participation was somewhat selective, as the healthier were more willing
to participate, the results provide some insights into dietary habits across
Europe. Overall, the results showed that participants varied in terms of the
frequency of their meals, with participants in eastern towns eating three
times a day on average, while those in Dutch and German-speaking towns
ate six or more times a day. They varied in terms of the frequency of cooked
meals, with high numbers of both men (15 percent) and women (13 percent)
not having a cooked meal every day. They also varied in terms of consuming
home-produced foods, with about 90 percent always eating at home,