Wendy Hunt

Research has shown a gap in the market for information around the types of protein rich, bioavailable meals that would be suitable for seniors who are capable of, and have the facilities to prepare their own meals at home. Seniors can experience significantly more nutritional risk factors associated with chronic lifestyle conditions than the general population. Inadequate nutritional intake in older people is common, frequently overlooked, and results in many negative health outcomes including malnutrition.

This study was a mixed methods, quasi experimental trial involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The main aim of the study was to develop a series of low cost, nutritionally balanced meals specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors. The development of these meals was based on nutritional composition data available through the NUTTAB 2010 nutrient composition database (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2010) and information from a study that investigated the barriers and enablers to seafood and fish consumption, plus the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of fish and seafood consumption amongst independently living seniors living in Perth Western Australia in April and May 2014. Seven of the 14 meals developed were selected for sensory analysis and tasting – Asian style fish, sushi sandwiches, Sardine Tarte with Sardines, fish chowder, pesto crusted Salmon, fish parcels and fish curry.

A total of 110 seniors participated in the meal tasting. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the meals by scoring (out of ten) each meal for taste, appearance and overall score. Participants were also asked if they would cook each meal at home, if they would buy the meal if available in a supermarket for less than $5.00 per serve and to provide reasons on why they would or wouldn’t cook or buy the meal.

The pesto crusted Salmon and Asian style fish were the most popular dishes for all scoring categories (overall, taste and appearance), while the fish parcels and fish curry were the least popular dishes for all scoring categories (mainly due to differing spice ‘strength’ preferences).

The most common responses given by participants for not preferring meals were related to flavouring strength. Comments included “needs more salt”, “needs more curry”, “no flavour” and “too dry”. This was a little surprising as formative research with this group indicated a preference for mild to moderately flavoured meals. However, research does show that as we get older we become less sensitive to taste. Taste losses can be attributed to factors such as ageing, age-related disease, poor oral health, drugs including drug interactions and zinc deficiencies.

The ‘tastiness’ of the meals may be improved by adding ingredients with stronger flavours such as fresh or dried herbs, garlic, ginger, onion, chilli, citrus juice and seeds such as caraway or mustard seed. The most preferred meals, the Asian style fish and the pesto crusted Salmon contained ingredients with strong flavours such as garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion, basil (pesto), parsley and parmesan cheese, these ingredients undoubtedly improved the overall flavour of the meal. Given the overall preference for mild to moderately flavoured meals by the majority of seniors, rather than develop stronger flavoured meals, a ‘flavour pouch’ could be added to the pre-prepared meals and thus cater for a wider market.

Asian style fish was the most likely to be cooked at home (86%, n=76) followed by the pesto crusted Salmon (73%, n=63). The fish parcels and the fish curry were the least likely to be cooked at home with less than 40% of participants responding positively to these meals.

Interestingly, less than 45% of participants said that they would purchase the pesto crusted Salmon from a supermarket for less than $5 per serve even though 94.3% rated the meal overall as excellent and 73% said they would cook it at home. These results were similar for the Asian style fish and the Sardine Tarte. The fish parcels and the fish curry were the least likely to be purchased from a supermarket with less than 14% of participants indicating they would purchase these meals from a supermarket.

The most common reason for not buying from a supermarket was participants preferred to do their own cooking or preferred home cooking. This was the same for all meals.

In summary, the most pertinent findings from this study were that 60 % of seniors in the trial preferred to prepare their own meals at home. However, of equal importance is that around 40% said they would regularly purchase seafood meals that were tailored to the nutritional requirements of seniors if available in the supermarket for less that $5 per serve. Both of these findings have significant implications to the seafood industry. Firstly, there is a significant market opportunity to provide smaller fillets of fish or fresh/frozen portions of seafood sized from 80-100gms. Secondly, there are significant opportunities to produce smaller sized seafood-based meal portions specifically catering for the nutritional needs of seniors. Critical to servicing this market is the cost at which seniors are willing to pay for a seafood-based meal even if tailored to meet their nutritional and economic needs.

Given the expected exponential growth forecast in the seniors market over the next 5-10 years in Australia and globally, this research has provided valuable insight into several major market opportunities available to the seafood market across Australia.

In summary, this report describes a whole of community intervention aimed at increasing consumption of seafood. The health benefits of seafood were reviewed and a suit of communication materials developed including: primary and secondary education models. vocational eductaion materials, resources for general practitioners and point of sale materials. Evaluation of project outcomes revealed an increase in seafood consumption during and one month after the intervention period.

Recreational fishing is a popular form of outdoor recreation enjoyed by Australians. Participation rates have been extrapolated to show that approximately 25% of Australian households consist of at least one member who participates in recreational fishing; and on average each of these households contains two recreational fishers (Henry & Lyle 2003). Recreational fishing is one of the few forms of nature-based recreation that can be enjoyed throughout childhood, adolescence, adulthood and into the senior years. Of recreational fishers aged 50 years and over, 75% have been fishing for longer than 30 years amassing a wealth of skills, techniques and knowledge build over the years of participation.

A major health concern in Australia is that the level of physical activity in children and adolescents is decreasing, with electronic media and other sedentary behaviours replacing outdoor activities. One study revealed that 37% of children aged 10 to 12 years spend less than half an hour a day playing outside after school and 43% spend more than two hours a day using electronic media (Wen, Kite et al. 2009). The lack of physical activity associated with the replacement of outdoor play with electronic leisure, places children at a greater risk for obesity and related adverse health effects. Research has shown that there is an urgent need to provide outdoor social opportunities and activities for children aged up to five years to encourage habitual healthy behaviours. Furthermore, parental (or adult) encouragement, supervision and participation are essential for long-term behaviour change (Cleland, Timperio et al. 2009).

Providing opportunities for fishing at a young age, as a family activity, or as part of school physical education programs, is vital to cultivating recreational fishing as an interest for tomorrow’s adults. Children that participate in recreational activity with their parents or adult carers are more likely to participate later in life. Successful promotion of fishing to Australian youth can maintain the future of the recreational fishing industry. Concurrently, promoting outdoor recreation throughout life can improve lifelong health for participants. To date however, the health benefits associated with recreational fishing have been difficult to quantify. The primary reason people partake in outdoor pursuits such as recreational fishing is to relax and unwind. With clear evidence supporting physical activity and a healthy diet high in seafood as beneficial to health and the prevention of chronic conditions (McManus and Newton 2011; McManus. A., White. J. et al. 2011; Newton and McManus 2011), it is both logical and intuitive that recreational fishing could offer substantial health benefits.

The first stage of this scoping study was to conduct an extensive review of literature and online resources to determine what research or activities had taken place with a focus on the health and well-being benefits associated with recreational fishing. An extensive database of 20,386 journal articles was systematically analysed and only 131 found to be directly related to recreational fishing. Only three articles had a primary focus on health, well-being and recreational fishing. The second stage of this research project was to investigate the health and well-being benefits of recreational fishing to the Australian society. Given the lack of published literature in this field an extensive online search was conducted. Also, with the help of the industry advisory group, a database of key Australian stakeholder organisations and individuals was constructed. Stakeholders were personally contacted in order to gain access to the corporate memory of key individuals and related anecdotal evidence. The response to this phase of the research was overwhelmingly positive.

An initial contact list of 29 key stakeholders was extended to 48 as further contacts were added and, on some occasions, unsolicited responses received. As a result, a large body of emergent evidence for the health and well-being benefits of recreational fishing was identified (although it should be noted that not all of this evidence is published).

The study found the strongest areas of evidence related to youth development, breast cancer recovery, positive mental health outcomes, recreation for the disabled and participation as a sport. There were programs and events run throughout Australia allowing children the opportunity to fish. Each of these initiatives focussed on education and environmental awareness. Classroom materials and lessons were also available to support learning outcomes. In many cases, fishing was used as an incentive to deter antisocial behaviour with excellent results. Recreational fishing gave children who did not find classroom social dynamics easy, the opportunity to shine and to form friendships outside their own school. For example, older children had the opportunity to mentor younger children which increased their own self-efficacy and self-confidence. Of great interest are the findings that hyperactive children were seen to sit quietly by the water for long periods of time and uncommunicative children vocally expressed that they want to fish.

Volunteer-led recreational fishing activities were also popular outside of the school setting. This report provides many examples from all over Australia. Skills developed over a lifetime not only provided health benefits for seniors but put them in a unique position for intergenerational transfer of recreational fishing knowledge. Also, children and adults with disabilities were able to partake in fishing largely due to a large base of volunteers and funding from organisational bodies.

Beyond the large body of anecdotal evidence supporting relaxation and stress reduction, a clear benefit has been noted for women recovering from mastectomies or related surgeries. The action of fly fishing is an excellent way to recover upper body function and maintain or extend range of motion, in a supportive and social environment.

Based on the evidence amassed, a questionnaire was developed to further assess the role that recreational fishing has to play in promoting good health and well-being in Australian society. The questionnaire instrument was tested for reliability and piloted with a small sample of fishers. This research tool can now be used (and further tested) in larger studies.

In summary, this study found that considerable health and well-being benefits can be gained through involvement in recreational fishing. Encouraging young children, youth, adults and families to fish offers a cost effective and healthful outdoor recreational activity that can be enjoyed throughout life. Benefits were evident for individuals and groups. Recreational fishing was also noted to provide significant benefits to children and youth with behavioural and mental health issues. Finally, educational strategies that focus on how to minimise the environmental impacts of recreational fishing can ensure today’s and tomorrow’s recreational fishers are aware of sustainable fishing practices.