Meal Delivery Service Research Articles

Exploring the use of meal delivery services in Belgium

Abstract Background Ready-to-eat meal delivery services have become commonplace in recent years and their growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the potential ramifications on dietary habits and subsequent health outcomes remain largely unexplored. Given the well-established links between unhealthy dietary patterns and chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, understanding the determinants and public health implications of ready-to-eat meal delivery services use is imperative. This study aims to investigate the determinants associated with the use of ready-to-eat meal delivery services and their implications for health behaviours and outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study is conducted amongst adults residing in Flanders or Brussels, Belgium. A quantitative online survey commenced in April 2024 and is scheduled to conclude by June 2024. Structural equation models will be used to assess determinants and implications of ready-to-eat meal delivery services use. Latent class analysis will be used to identify user profiles and subsequent structural equation modelling will assess determinants of these profiles and their associated health (behaviour) outcomes. Results Preliminary results suggest meal delivery usage was higher in younger and middle-income users. Main reasons of use amongst users (n = 139) were more time for leisure activities (66%) and supermarket avoidance (64%). Main reasons for non-use amongst non-users (n = 69) were not wanting to spend money with meal delivery services (70%) and preference to cook own meals (81%). Data collection is currently ongoing. Further analysis is planned, and full results will be available by November 2024. Conclusions This study will provide a better understanding of drivers of meal delivery services use in Belgium and their potential impact on public health. It will also help inform public health strategies targeted at improving dietary habits. Key messages • Recognising that meal delivery services will become ever present in the future, insights into why people order meals for delivery and the potential health implications of such services are essential. • The use of advanced statistical techniques highlights the potential of the study to offer novel insights into determinants and ramifications of meal delivery services usage.

Food purchase and consumption behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Bangladesh: association between sociodemographic composition

BackgroundBangladesh suffered a severe COVID-19 wave from June to August 2021, which forced the government to impose emergency nationwide lockdown measures for three months with discontinuities. The sudden lockdown strongly affected the dietary preferences, financial circumstances, and social interactions of citizens.MethodsIn this comprehensive study, we collected sociodemographic information as well as data on food purchase and consumption behaviors from 1,350 adults in Bangladesh during the weeks of enforced confinement. The association between the sociodemographic factors (viz., gender, age, education status, income, occupation, and household size) and food purchase and consumption behaviors were determined by conducting bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models reporting as odds ratios.ResultsThe descriptive result reveals that 49.63% of the participants experienced wage reductions, with many people enduring reductions of up to 75%; 12.22% lost their jobs. Besides, a decline in the frequency of shopping was observed by 35.04%; and 24.52% avoided outdoor shopping during the pandemic period. Additionally, 28.74% of participants purchased less overall, while 19.48% purchased significantly fewer items per trip compared to the pre-pandemic period. The multivariate analysis shows a prominent increase in online grocery shopping (OR: 4.03, 95% CI: 2.38–6.83, p < 0.001) and meal delivery services (OR = 5.19, 95% CI = 3.21–7.17, p < 0.001) among higher educated individuals compared to the individuals having no institutional education. The personnel having formal jobs purchased 2.34 times more from online grocery sites (95% CI = 0.34–4.08, p = 0.003) compared to the unemployed one. In contrast, a notable increase in panic buying and stockpiling was observed, driven by scarcity and escalating prices of essential food items. The frequency of meals with families, active engagement in meal preparation, and the exploration of novel recipes also increased notably.ConclusionsThe consumption of takeaway food and inter-meal snacks increased significantly with the education level of individuals. These findings highlighted that a prolonged pandemic could magnify economic vulnerability in Bangladesh.

Features of consumer behaviour in the sphere of fast food catering on the Moscow market

The article presents the results of the empirical research of consumer behaviour features in the sphere of fast food catering in the Moscow market. The research method is a questionnaire survey with the use of digital technologies. The article reveals the loyalty of consumers to the visited fast food establishments; their motivation to visit new such places is determined; the awareness of consumers about the opening of new fast food establishments is studied; their preferences regarding the use of meal delivery services of these places and staying at them are revealed. The conclusions are formulated that direct visit to fast food restaurants remains a popular social practice among a significant part of consumers; digital meal delivery services of these places is actively used by consumers; visiting fast food establishments and ordering meal delivery there are typical for representatives of low-, middle-, and high-income audience segments; the communication activity of new fast food restaurants being opened is insufficient; the audience’s expectations from visiting these places and ordering food from them are not limited to the satisfaction of basic needs. The results of the research can be useful for the development of marketing strategies and advertising campaigns in the sphere of fast food catering as well as for the adjustment of business strategies of the restaurants.

Features of the restaurant market and consumer behavior in the Moscow restaurant business segment: study results

The article presents a comprehensive study results aimed at identifying peculiarities of the restaurant market and consumer behavior in the Moscow restaurant business segment. Within the framework of the research three stages have been realized. At the first stage the Moscow restaurant market macroenvironment has been analyzed to identify external factors of influence on modern restaurant business. The external factors of positive and negative impact on the restaurant industry development have been structured and described. At the second stage to identify the main trends of the Moscow restaurant market the method of content analysis of the Moscow restaurant business establishments sites with high rating indicators based on the Yandex neural network data was used. The main trends of the Moscow restaurant market are: restaurants’ focus on preparing healthy food and vegetarian cuisine; use of farm products and local ingredients in prepared dishes; technological innovations implementation that simplify consumer experience; focus on the principles of sustainable development and environmental friendliness in the business model; restaurant formats variety. At the third stage of the study, a survey has been conducted among visitors to Moscow restaurants and cafes to identify consumer behavior. The identified consumer practices in the restaurant market indicate, on the one hand, active involvement of the audience in visiting Moscow restaurants, cafes, and bars, and on the other hand, the use of restaurant meal delivery services via restaurant websites or mobile applications. The dominant influence of rational factors in consumers’ choice of a restaurant to visit and changes in the consumer motivation structure when visiting restaurants and cafes have been revealed.

Safety and tolerability of a low glycemic load dietary intervention in adults with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

To achieve and maintain adequate weight, people with cystic fibrosis (CF) May often consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods high in added sugars and refined carbohydrates; however, little is known about the glycemic and metabolic effects of dietary composition in this patient population. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the safety and tolerability of a low glycemic load (LGL) diet in adults with CF and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT). Ten adults with CF and AGT completed this prospective, open-label pilot study. Mean age was 27.0 ± 2.1 years, 64% were female, and all had pancreatic insufficiency. Each participant followed his/her typical diet for 2 weeks, then transitioned to a LGL diet via meal delivery service for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in weight from baseline to study completion, with safety established if no significant decline was noted. Other key safety outcomes included change in hypoglycemia measured by patient report and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Exploratory outcomes included changes in other CGM measures, body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and patient reported outcomes. There were no significant changes in weight or in subjectively-reported or objectively-measured hypoglycemia. Favorable non-significant changes were noted in CGM measures of hyperglycemia and glycemic variability, DXA measures of fat mass, and gastrointestinal symptom surveys. A LGL dietary intervention was safe and well tolerated in adults with CF and AGT. These results lay the groundwork for future trials investigating the impact of low-glycemic dietary interventions on metabolic outcomes in the CF population.

Food Allergy Awareness Champions: Improving Food Safety Standards in Online Food Procurement for People With Food Hypersensitivities

Background There have been changes more recently in how people commonly acquire and consume food at home. The practice of ordering online food delivery including ready-to-eat meals, drinks, and snacks has increased immensely. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely been a factor in this change in practice as it’s now the case that one in four consumers thinks about using meal delivery services on a regular basis. The aims of this project were: • to improve understanding and knowledge of the behaviours of FHS citizen scientists buying ready-to-eat (takeaway and delivered) food online. • to learn more about the visible procedures and practices of individual food businesses offering online food delivery. • to use accredited methods to determine the presence of certain allergens in selected samples of food procured by participants. Results In general, respondents expressed more trust in nationwide food chains due to their perceived resources, updated information, menu consistency and/or accreditation by a UK allergy charity, such as Allergy UK or Coeliac UK. The citizen scientists revealed some of their behaviours to minimise the risk of contamination including: • eating food alone, before or after the family or work meal • physically separating gluten-containing from non-gluten-containing foods at the table • double checking the food order and the labels provided • following good food hygiene guidelines • using their own senses. Furthermore, there were some indications that older FHS citizens may perceive the risk of ordering online differently from younger age groups.

Weight gain, new-onset overweight or obesity, and their influencing factors during the social distancing era of the COVID-19 pandemic

The prevalence of obesity is gradually increasing in South Korea, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the weight gain. In response to COVID-19, South Korea implemented targeted distancing measures based on the number of COVID-19 cases, rather than a full lockdown. This study focused on two subgroups that influence the rise in obesity prevalence during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the factors contributing to rapid weight gain in this group during this period. This cross-sectional study involved 3,462 participants recruited through the MicroEmbrain Inc. Online survey panel. Participation emails were sent by the research company to the online survey panel, and individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate responded to the survey. The participants consisted of residents aged 19 and above from Seoul, with sample distribution taking considering sex, age, and region. Height, and weight before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were self-reported. The analysis revealed that compared with that of pre-COVID-19 statistics, 11 % of all participants entered the overweight or obese categories post COVID-19, and among those who were overweight or obese before COVID-19, 42.5 % reported weight gain. Both groups had relatively younger individuals, higher stress levels, spent more time alone, and had increased usage of online platforms including online food purchasing. Post-COVID-19 wt gain among individuals with pre-existing overweight or obesity status was associated with a higher frequency of solitary drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.407, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.024–1.932), increased online leisure time (OR = 1.336, 95 % CI = 1.063–1.678), and increased use of meal delivery services (OR = 1.307, 95 % CI = 1.026–1.664). The prevalence of obesity has continued to rise after COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for interventions that mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on health behavior.

Catering establishments in the everyday life of urban residents

The article is devoted to the analysis of consumer preferences and behavioral practices of urban residents in the catering market. The conceptual framework of the study was the theory of "third places" – spaces outside home and work that create conditions for full communication of visitors. The empirical basis of the study was the results of an online survey conducted among the residents of Ekaterinburg in 2024 (n=610). The study tested the hypothesis about the significance of the socio-communicative function of catering establishments in the perception of citizens. The results of the study showed the important role of catering establishments in the everyday life of urban residents: the behavioral practices of urban residents indicate the regularity of visits to catering establishments regardless of the day of the week, the preference for evening visiting time, more frequent use of actual visits compared to the use of ready meal delivery services. Consumer preferences of citizens in the catering market are characterized by a clearly expressed communicative dominance, confirming the importance of the social function of catering establishments. The most significant motive for visiting catering establishments is communicating with friends and relatives. The most popular venues are those that provide the best atmospheric and spatial opportunities for "live" communication. Among the factors for choosing catering establishments, the leading ones are the "internal" factors of the establishment – food quality, hygiene and safety, service, menu and variety of dishes, and the atmosphere created. External factors – reviews on the Internet, ratings of establishments on specialized sites, recommendations of food bloggers – do not have a decisive influence on the choice of consumers. The results of the study can be used to improve the quality of service in the catering industry and to develop an effective promotion strategy of enterprises in this sphere.

The restaurant delivery problem with uncertain cooking time and travel time

Eliminating delays under uncertain delivery conditions presents a formidable challenge for meal delivery platforms. Nevertheless, by implementing effective measures, these platforms can successfully mitigate the impacts of uncertainties on delays. This paper introduces a scenario-based chance-constrained programming model tailored for meal delivery services with uncertain cooking time and travel time, ensuring a more accurate representation of real-world scenarios. The objective is to minimize the delivery cost while considering the decision preferences of a platform. To generate high-quality solutions, this work proposes a novel island harmony search algorithm that incorporates several key components, including greedy search, harmony selection, neighborhood reduction, island migration, and scenario-based simulation. Additionally, a matheuristic is introduced for the purpose of comparison. Comparative evaluation against a set of adopted benchmarks reveals the superior performance of both algorithms. A series of sensitivity analyses are conducted to explore the advantages of considering uncertainty, and investigate how decision preference values influence the feasibility of solutions for meal delivery platforms. The proposed formulation and algorithm yield high-quality solutions for delivery platforms with various preferences, facilitating decision-making that aligns with their operational context.

Navigating Efficiency and Uncertainty: Risks of Relying on an At-Will Workforce in Urban Meal Delivery

Increasing popularity in gig employment has enabled the use of an at-will workforce of self-contracted couriers to participate in many service industries serving urban areas. This gig workforce has come to play a particularly important role in the growing meal delivery service industry. Hiring at-will couriers for delivery job fulfillment can decrease the costs of satisfying nonstationary demand. However, at-will workers can show up for work at their will and without notice. Thus, this puts the service performance of the delivery company that relies on effective workforce management to ensure timely delivery of orders at risk. This work investigates the tradeoffs between using such an at-will workforce of couriers in place of a fixed fleet of drivers in servicing a meal delivery environment. A stochastic DES with tabu search heuristic and embedded ejection chain approach for optimal delivery job bundling, routing, and assignment was developed and run within a rolling horizon framework to replicate the dynamics of the meal delivery setting. Condition Value at Risk (CVaR) is adopted to measure the risk of late delivery due to uncertainty in workforce availability. Results from a numerical case study with 25 restaurants and 613 orders arriving over a 14-h period show tradeoffs from using at-will couriers in place of a comparable fixed fleet of drivers in terms of delivery resource utilization, efficiency risk of failing to satisfying orders and risk of significantly late delivery. Results indicate that using at-will couriers for meal delivery can enable more efficient use of delivery resources, but at the cost of a higher risk of late delivery, and sometimes intolerably late delivery, as compared to using a fixed fleet of drivers to fulfill orders.

Meal delivery services: Current practices, challenges, and future directions

Meal delivery services: Current practices, challenges, and future directions

거동 불편한 저소득 노인의 식품안전행동 영향요인에 관한 연구

Healthy eating in terms of nutrition and food safety is crucial for preserving an older adult’s quality of life when their immune systems start to decline. However, it has not gotten the same attention as other age groups. In order to map out a path for secure food safety in later life, this study provided meal services to low-income older adults with limited mobility and examined the determinants impacting their food safety behavior. In Seoul, a pre- and post-test survey was done on 104 older people who had used a healthy meal delivery service, and the results were compared and reviewed with survey data collected from 38 older people who had not used the service. The six-month subscription to the healthy meal delivery service includes daily nutritional monitoring, nutrition delivery, frequent counseling and educational services from a dietician, as well as lunch boxes customized to the customers' health state. The study revealed that older individuals in the experimental group had higher levels of the food safety behavior index after using the service. The index for the older individuals in the comparison group remained unchanged. The use of healthy meal delivery services including nutrition and food safety education was the only factor, according to regression analysis, that had a statistically significant impact on the older people's behaviors related to food safety when socio-demographic variables were controlled. These results show that regular information exchange and dietitian counseling have a positive influence on the food safety practices of elderly low-income individuals with limited mobility. Future legislative and practical initiatives will be required to provide regular dietitian monitoring and intervention to ensure food safety for elderly low-income individuals with limited mobility.

A Survey Paper on Tiffindia - An Android Application for On-Demand Food

Abstract: Online meal ordering and delivery services are expanding quickly thanks to developing technology because of changes in consumer behavior and technological advancements. The way that Indian consumers have responded to the Internet has created opportunities for a wide range of enterprises, from startups to major multinationals. Businesses now have the chance to grow their online services, such as online meal ordering and delivery services, thanks to online banking. The demands of those who lead hectic lives are satisfied by online meal ordering, which allows customers to place orders using laptops, tablets, or smartphones and have their food delivered to their homes in a matter of minutes. But there aren't many platforms that provide nutritious meals, particularly for people on particular diets. Due to their hectic schedules, the majority of students end up ordering junk food online or struggle to find the right meals for their particular diet online. The "tiffin-India-app" is an online ordering and delivery system for healthy food that is suggested for Higher Education Institutions to offer staff and students a variety of healthy food alternatives that can be tailored to their individual diets. The online ordering and delivery system will be developed using an extreme programming technique. The results showed that the suggested method, which makes use of the improved web service, is a successful effort to encourage students and employees of higher education institutions to lead healthy lifestyles and adopt appropriate eating habits. I

Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins

Increasing evidence suggests that, compared with an omnivorous diet, a vegan diet confers potential cardiovascular benefits from improved diet quality (ie, higher consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds). To compare the effects of a healthy vegan vs healthy omnivorous diet on cardiometabolic measures during an 8-week intervention. This single-center, population-based randomized clinical trial of 22 pairs of twins (N = 44) randomized participants to a vegan or omnivorous diet (1 twin per diet). Participant enrollment began March 28, 2022, and continued through May 5, 2022. The date of final follow-up data collection was July 20, 2022. This 8-week, open-label, parallel, dietary randomized clinical trial compared the health impact of a vegan diet vs an omnivorous diet in identical twins. Primary analysis included all available data. Twin pairs were randomized to follow a healthy vegan diet or a healthy omnivorous diet for 8 weeks. Diet-specific meals were provided via a meal delivery service from baseline through week 4, and from weeks 5 to 8 participants prepared their own diet-appropriate meals and snacks. The primary outcome was difference in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration from baseline to end point (week 8). Secondary outcome measures were changes in cardiometabolic factors (plasma lipids, glucose, and insulin levels and serum trimethylamine N-oxide level), plasma vitamin B12 level, and body weight. Exploratory measures were adherence to study diets, ease or difficulty in following the diets, participant energy levels, and sense of well-being. A total of 22 pairs (N = 44) of twins (34 [77.3%] female; mean [SD] age, 39.6 [12.7] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 25.9 [4.7]) were enrolled in the study. After 8 weeks, compared with twins randomized to an omnivorous diet, the twins randomized to the vegan diet experienced significant mean (SD) decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (-13.9 [5.8] mg/dL; 95% CI, -25.3 to -2.4 mg/dL), fasting insulin level (-2.9 [1.3] μIU/mL; 95% CI, -5.3 to -0.4 μIU/mL), and body weight (-1.9 [0.7] kg; 95% CI, -3.3 to -0.6 kg). In this randomized clinical trial of the cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins, the healthy vegan diet led to improved cardiometabolic outcomes compared with a healthy omnivorous diet. Clinicians can consider this dietary approach as a healthy alternative for their patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05297825.

ShopWisely - The Ultimate Price Comparer

Abstract: Customers are faced with an abundance of options in the quickly changing world of online shopping and food delivery, which makes it difficult and time-consuming to find the best offers and affordable solutions. ShopWisely has come to light as a trailblazing answer to this problem, providing consumers with a thorough platform for comparing costs from top e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart as well as popular meal delivery services like Zomato and Swiggy. ShopWisely is an online project that makes it easy for people to make educated purchases. It accomplishes this by compiling real-time pricing information from several sources, giving consumers a comprehensive picture of their choices. With an attractive and userfriendly design, the platform's main objective is to expedite the online shopping and meal ordering process, eventually

Outreach to Low-Income Homebound Older Adults to Increase Access to COVID-19 Self-Test Kits, Missouri, 2022.

COVID-19 self-test kits were distributed to low-income, older adults (n = 2532) with their home-delivered or congregate meals in May 2022. Later, a convenience sample (n = 1108) were contacted for follow-up, and 606 (55%) were reached. Among 79% who remembered getting the test, only 34% already had a test kit, but nearly all liked receiving it (91%) and reported they would use or had used it (93%). Partnering with meal-delivery service providers was feasible to increase access to COVID-19 self-tests for low-income older adults. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S1):S65-S68. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307485).

Malaysian Consumer Income and Spending Behaviour During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Insight from Maqāṣid Al-Sharīʿah

Purpose — Spending patterns changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the health crisis turning into an economic challenge. This study examines the Malaysian public’s awareness level and changes in their spending behaviour during COVID-19. It also aims to identify the spending patterns on different items based on the consumers’ income and establish whether the awareness level of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law) on spending affects the public’s perception of future spending behaviour. Design/Methodology/Approach — Quantitative approaches were implemented through questionnaire outcomes, and further analysis was carried out through the SPSS software. The survey included 420 participants, and the results were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics such as the Chi-Square test and regression. Findings — Important findings of this paper show that the situation following the COVID-19 pandemic led to behavioural changes in many aspects, especially in Malaysians’ spending patterns. The findings show that most items related to awareness of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah and spending are less than 3, which means that respondents are not aware or slightly aware of the concept. Only one item related to spending more on necessities during the pandemic achieves an average of more than 3. Secondly, changes in spending behaviour are seen on all items included in the study, which means the pandemic caused various changes in the spending patterns of Malaysians. Furthermore, certain categories of items (e.g., food and groceries, meal delivery services, entertainment items, face masks/hand sanitisers/disinfectants, and internet services) have shown significant differences among income groups in this study. Finally, from the regression results, it is found that the awareness level of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah and its impact on spending is significant for the future perception of spending. Originality/Value — The novelty of this study comes from the concept of relating spending behaviour to maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, especially during challenging moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical Implications — This paper reflects the importance of enhancing the maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah concept in spending patterns, especially in Muslim-majority countries. The current research added to knowledge in regard to how consumer behaviour changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings may be useful in developing marketing strategies, considering psychological elements to suit the feelings and demands of genuine customers.

The relationship between family diet consumption, family environment, parent anxiety and nutrition status children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the trends of childhood overweight, obesity, and malnutrition, as well as increased psychological stress and family conflicts among family members. It is important to explore the relationship between changes in the family environment during the COVID-19 on child nutrition. This study aims to analyze the nutritional status of Chinese children during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with family diet, family environment, and parental anxiety, in order to provide evidence for further interventions in children's nutritional status. This study included 7,645 primary and secondary school students and their parents from five schools in Chengdu, China. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the categorical variables of children's malnutrition, overweight, obesity, and parental anxiety. T-tests were used to assess changes in the continuous variable of family environment between two rounds of follow-up surveys. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the impact of changes in family diet during the COVID-19 pandemic on children's nutritional status. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the effects of family environment and parental anxiety on childhood obesity. The prevalence of malnutrition and obesity decreased from 11.64% and 11.60% in wave 1 to 4.96% and 10.50% in wave 2, and the rate of overweight increased from 13.11% in wave 1 to 13.73% in wave 2. Children whose families reduced consumption of staple foods during the COVID-19 were more likely to be frail, and families increased consumption of sugary drinks, take-out or meal delivery services, living in towns, family environmental barriers, and parental anxiety were risk factors for overweight obesity. Mother's education level in middle and high school and low age were protective factors for overweight obesity. The physical environment of the family, the emotions of family members, and children's perceptions of the family's soft environment can influence children's eating behaviors, children's nutritional intake, and malnutrition and obesity in children under public health emergencies, and family-based dietary interventions may be effective. Parents can increase consumption of healthy foods and improve the family environment, which improve their growth.

'Good, honest food': older adults' and healthcare professionals' perspectives of dietary influences and food preferences in older age in Ireland.

This study aimed to explore older adults' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions of dietary influences and food preferences in older age. The research design was phenomenological qualitative description. Semistructured one-to-one interviews and focus groups were held separately with community-dwelling older adults and HCPs involved in care of the older person in Ireland. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. A total of 47 adults aged 55+ years were recruited (50% male; 49% aged 60-69 years; 28% aged above 70 years), and 26 HCPs were involved, comprising dietitians (n = 8); geriatricians (n = 6); clinical therapists (n = 4); and nurses, pharmacists, catering managers and meal delivery service coordinators (n = 2 each). There are strong desires for 'good, honest food' within the diet for an older person; however, gaps in current nutrition priorities, dietary guidance and health promotion were perceived. There were differences in the perspectives held by HCPs and adults aged 55+ years, as some HCPs centred their discussion around nutrition for preventing sarcopenia, frailty or cognitive decline, whereas many adults aged 55+ years desired foods which promote cardiometabolic health and reflect wider personal health and environmental values. Other themes included the impact of health and lifestyle changes accompanying ageing on dietary priorities, the importance of personal and psychosocial values in determining food choice and the impact of the external food environment on accessibility and shopping experiences. Influences on dietary choice for the older person are multifactorial, driven by a range of health, psychological, sociocultural and environmental perspectives. Future nutrition priorities for older adults should encourage health-promoting approaches and not just disease-mitigating efforts.

Food Insecurity Prevalence in Patients with Cancer Presenting to an Urban Academic Emergency Department in the United States

ABSTRACT Food insecurity (FI) affects 11.1% of U.S. households with higher rates for patients in the emergency department (ED) and those with cancer. A convenience sample of patients undergoing cancer treatment at an academic medical center’s ED was used to understand FI prevalence using the HFIAS tool. A total of 105 patients enrolled in-person or telephone. FI prevalence was 14.3%. Participants preferred fresh produce, meal delivery service, or money for food compared to food bank services. About 75% felt the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their access to food. FI affects patients with cancer in the ED at higher rates than the US.