Abstract
This article focuses on the relationship between the following three concepts: aging, loneliness and food. Our analytical and methodological proposal aims to understand the experience of loneliness encountered by people over 64 living in Barcelona, through the description and analysis of food and its practice; that is, all those aspects (in)directly related to food practice. Though our analysis is focused on food, we will stress the social—rather than nutritional—dimensions of food behavior. Thus our point of departure is the organic relationship established between food, society and culture (Contreras, 1995).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arber, S., Davidson, K., & Ginn, J. (2003). Changing approaches to gender in later life. In S. Arber, K. Davidson, & J. Ginn, (Eds.), Gender and ageing. Changing roles and relationships. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). Food in society. Economy, culture, geography, London: Arnold.
Barthes, R. (1961). Pour une psicho-sociologie de l’alimentation contemporaine. Annales, 16: 977–986.
Caplan, P. (1997). Approaches to the study of food, health and identity. In P. Caplan (Ed.), Food, health and identity. London: Routledge.
Contreras, J. (1995). Introducción. In J. Contreras (Ed.), Alimentación y cultura: necesidades, gustos y costumbres. Barcelona: Servei de Publicacions de la Universitat de Barcelona.
Counihan, C.M. & Van Esterik, P. (Eds.), (1999). Food and culture. A reader. London: Routledge.
De Garine, I. (1995 [1972]). Los aspectos socioculturales de la nutrición. In J. Contreras (Ed.), Alimentación y cultura: necesidades, gustos y costumbres. Barcelona: Servei de Publicacions de la Universitat de Barcelona.
De Jong Gierveld, J. (1999), A review of loneliness: concepts and definitions, causes and consequences. Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 8: 73–80.
De Jong Gierveld, J. (2003). Social networks and social well-being of older men and women living alone in S. Arber, K. Davidson & J. Ginn, (Eds.), Gender and ageing. Changing roles and relationships. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Hazan, H. (1980). The limbo people. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Messer, E. (1995 [1984]). Perspectivas antropológicas sobre la dieta. In J. Contreras (Ed.), Alimentación y cultura: necesidades, gustos y costumbres, Barcelona: Servei de Publicacions de la Universitat de Barcelona.
Quandt, S. (1999). Social and cultural influences on food consumption and nutritional status, in M. E. Shils, J.A. Olson, M. Shike & A.C. Ross (Eds.), Modern nutrition in health and disease (9th ed), Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
Rowe, J.W. & Kahn, R.L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37, (4): 433–440.
Victor, C., Scambler, S., Bond, J., & Bowling, A. (2000). Being alone in later life: Loneliness, social isolation and living alone, Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 10, 407–417.
Victor, C., Scambler, S., Bond, J. & Bowling, A. (2004). Loneliness in later life. In A. Walker & H. Hennessy (Eds.), Growing older. Quality of life in old age. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Sílvia Bofill undertook her doctorate in social anthopology at the University of Barcelona. She works as a post-doctoral researcher in this department and is a member of the Observatorio de la Alimentación. Her research interests are focused on aging studies and the anthropology of food.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bofill, S. Aging and loneliness in Catalonia: The social dimension of food behavior. Ageing Int. 29, 385–398 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-004-1006-3
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-004-1006-3