Abstract
Abstract This study analyzed the relations between social representations of the body and the body care practices of older adults. Forty older adults, with ages varying from 60 to 84 years (M = 69; SD = 7), matched by sex, took part in the study. The data were collected by means of in-depth thematic interviews, with the corpus analyzed using the IRaMuTeQ software. Differences between men and women were verified in representational contents and body practices. The male participants’ social representations of the body were associated with biological functionality and health concerns, while the women emphasized the importance of physical appearance in their social relationships. Regarding body care practices, there was a higher incidence of food concerns in the men and the performance of physical activities in the women. Therefore, the results indicated that the body care practices vary according to the socials representations of the body and the sex of the participant.
Highlights
The current demographic panorama shows an increase in the older adult population worldwide
The growth in the number of older adults is accompanied by a longer life expectancy of the population (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 2019)
This study aimed to describe the relationship between the social representations of the body and the bodily care practices of older adults
Summary
The current demographic panorama shows an increase in the older adult population worldwide. Projections indicate that by 2050 21% of the world population will be over 60 years of age (Centro Internacional de Longividade Brasil, 2015). In Brazil it is Disponível em www.scielo.br estimated that the number of older adults will double in the coming years (Simões, 2016). The growth in the number of older adults is accompanied by a longer life expectancy of the population (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 2019). Care Representations and Practices the Brazilian government instituted the Statute for the Older Adult (Estatuto do Idoso), with the aim of ensuring the rights of older people
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