Graduate Program

Family and Consumer Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2007

Thesis Director

Karla Kennedy-Hagan

Thesis Committee Member

Kathleen O'Rourke

Thesis Committee Member

Martha Brown

Abstract

The number of older adults who develop cardiovascular disease each year continues to remain high. It is important to examine possible reasons cardiovascular disease is prevalent among older adults. The purpose ofof this study was to identify the food choices older adults associate with cardiovasascular health. This study examined the differences in heart healthy food choices of male and female participants, white and black participants, and participants with and without known cardiovascular disease. A quantitative questionnaire and focus groups were used to gain insight on the foods older adults associate with cardiovascular disease. The participants were able to identify heart healthy foods; in fact several of the same heart healthy foods were selected regardless of being male, female, white, black, and with or without known cardiovascular disease. The participants' food choices did not significantly differ between males and females, between races, or between those with and without known cardiovascular disease. Providing nutrition education on cardiovascular health would supply older adults with the knowledge that consuming a wide variety of foods from all food groups is essential for heart health. Further studies on food choices are needed to identify additional reasons for the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in older adults.

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