Professional paper
Salutogenesis and Nutrition in Older Adults
Ivana Šućur
orcid.org/0009-0007-1290-7311
; Teaching Institute for Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The traditional approach to nutrition research often focuses on pathogenesis, analyzing how poor nutrition leads to disease. In contrast, salutogenesis focuses on factors that strengthen and maintain an individual's health. This approach is particularly significant for older adults, viewing health as a dynamic process on a continuum and encompassing physical, mental, and social aspects. The salutogenic framework is based on two key concepts: sense of coherence and general resistance resources. Sense of coherence represents the degree of an individual's confidence that life challenges are understandable, manageable, and meaningful. Research shows that a stronger sense of coherence in older adults correlates with healthier dietary habits and better mental health. General resistance resources are individual, social, and environmental characteristics that help in coping with stressors and strengthening the sense of coherence. In the context of nutrition, this includes nutritional knowledge, cooking skills, self-efficacy, social support, financial stability, and access to quality food and services. Adhering to a healthy diet is a process that can be hindered by a series of barriers, but simultaneously supported by various facilitators operating at individual, social, environmental, and psychological levels. The salutogenic approach helps understand how older adults manage to maintain a healthy diet by focusing on their resources and strengths, and enables the development of personalized interventions.
Keywords
diet; general resistance resources; older adults; salutogenesis; sense of coherence
Hrčak ID:
332651
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2025.
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