(P18-001-24) A Photovoice Study Investigating Inequalities in Nutrition and Healthy Ageing in Older Black African Adults in the United Kingdom

Objectives: Older people from Black African communities (both born in the UK and migrants) often experience a complex nutrition landscape where there is maintenance of traditional diets but also adaptation of key features of the UK/Western diet and food culture, with negative outcomes for nutrition and health in older age. The aim of this study was to understand the factors that underlie inequalities in nutrition and health and to obtain insights to co-design innovative culturally tailored interventions to improve nutrition and health in older African adults.

Methods: Qualitative data was collected using Photovoice, a visual, community-based participatory research (CBPR) method whereby participants take photographs to document, reflect upon health and social issues from their own perspective. A purposive sample of 12 participants were provided with cameras and encouraged to take photos describing their experiences and thoughts on factors that influence nutrition and healthy ageing in older African adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights into the photos. Thematic analyses using both deductive and inductive approaches were conducted to develop and refine emerging themes.

Results: Participants were older African adults, 62±5.4 years and 75% female. The majority were married (58.3%), living with family (41.7%), educated to postgraduate degree level (50.0%) and fulltime employed (66.7%). Emerging themes influencing nutrition and healthy ageing included time, social isolation, health status, tradition, cooking methods, religious factors and finances. While participants exhibited a good level of nutrition knowledge and were able to characterize the features of unhealthy and healthy diets, there were still misconceptions of what constituted a healthy diet.

Conclusions: This research provides the first evidence using photovoice, a novel participatory research method to investigate factors that underlie inequalities in nutrition, in older African adults. The findings highlight significant determinants that influence nutrition and healthy ageing and emphasizes the need for further research to co-create culturally tailored interventions that improve nutrition, healthy ageing and quality of life in older African adults.

Funding Sources: Research is funded by the UKRI BBSRC/MRC Food4Years Network.