Need states based on eating occasions experienced by midlife women.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify a comprehensive set of distinct "need states" based on the eating occasions experienced by midlife women.

Design

Series of 7 focus group interviews.

Setting

Meeting room on a university campus.

Participants

A convenience sample of 34 multi-ethnic women (mean age = 46 years).

Phenomenon of interest

Descriptions of eating occasions by "need states," specific patterns of needs for the occasion.

Analysis

Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for common themes using qualitative data analysis procedures.

Findings

Eight need states suggested a hypothetical framework reflecting a wide range in emotional gratification. Need states with a low level of emotional gratification were dominated by sets of fun

SUBMITTER: Vue H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2610855 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature