Social support, a factor tested in the previous study, is typically defined as help extended in response to an identified stressor. Only two studies have shown that increased social support is related to improved dietary quality.

To date, we have little information on older persons’ perception of support in response to a source of nutrition stress. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to identify older womens’ perceptions of the frequency and providers of social support in response to two common nutrition stressors (following diet modifications and physical disability.

One hundred and two females, aged 75 to 95 years, who were living alone for at least five years were included in this study. The women lived in government-subsidized housing units in eastern Connecticut. Almost three-quarters of the subjects had incomes below poverty level. Three in-home interviews were conducted which were used to identify three constructs for this study: functional status, modified diet, and social support. Functional status was classified into one of four categories: severe, moderate, mild, or no difficulties in performing daily living tasks. To further investigate social support, a questionnaire was developed to collect data on the frequency and providers of social support. Subjects were asked who provided support for diet modifications and who provided support for food procurement. They were also asked what type of help: information, emotional, or instrumental (i.e., grocery shopping or transportation).

Ninety-six women reported following modified diets. Even though the women believed their diets to be important, only 40 reported support around them in the past year. Women with at least one doctor-prescribed diet modification were significantly more likely to receive diet support than women on self-prescribed diets. Families and friends provided most of the support. Of the 102 subjects, more reported help with food procurement (obtaining groceries or acquiring meals) than related support on their modified diets.