Health claims and information sources in relation to bean consumption in older adults

Bean consumption can reduce chronic disease risk and improve diet quality; however, bean consumption among North Americans is low. Since health claims and other information sources could increase bean consumption, their exploration is warranted, particularly among older adults, a population well positioned to benefit. The purpose of this study was to explore bean consumption among older adults (≥65 years old) in relation to health claims and other information sources. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential study design utilizing a between strategy data collection approach was used. Community-dwelling older adults (n = 250; 76.0% female) completed a validated researcher-administered questionnaire to explore bean consumption, awareness and reading of health claims, the likelihood of health claims influencing bean consumption, and current and preferred sources of nutrition and/or health information regarding beans. The questionnaire was followed up with 10 semi-structured focus groups (n = 46; 76.1% female). Awareness of nutrient content, nutrient function, therapeutic and disease risk reduction claims was reported by 94.4%, 64.0%, 79.6% and 77.2% of participants, respectively. Among those aware, these health claims were read by 91.5%, 85.6%, 87.9% and 88.6% of participants, respectively. The prevalence of bean consumption was 51.2% and participants (46.8%) most frequently indicated that all health claims would equally increase their likelihood of bean consumption. Participants (72.0%) reported that they would like more information about the nutrition and/or health properties of beans, with their most common preferred sources including food labels (54.8%), brochures (51.2%) and the internet (47.2%). This research advances the literature on how health claims relate to eating behaviour and can inform regulatory and food industry scientists about consumer perception to bean health claims, and healthcare professionals about preferred information sources for their clients.