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Laboratory studies have demonstrated that experimental manipulations of oral processing can have a marked effect on energy intake. Here, we explored whether variations in oral processing across a range of unmodified everyday meals could affect post-meal fullness and meal size. In Study 1, female participants (N = 12) attended the laboratory over 20 lunchtime sessions to consume a 400-kcal portion of a different commercially available pre-packaged meal. Prior to consumption, expected satiationwas assessed. During eachmeal, oral processingwas characterised using: (i) video-recordings of the mouth and (ii) real-time measures of plate weight. Hunger and fullness ratings were elicited pre- and post-consumption, and for a further three hours. Foods that were eaten slowly had higher expected satiation and delivered more satiation and satiety. Building on these findings, in Study 2 we selected two meals (identical energy density) from Study 1 that were equally liked but maximised differences in oral processing. On separate days, male and female participants (N = 24) consumed a 400-kcal portion of either the "fast" or "slow" meal followed by an ad libitum meal (either the same food or a dessert). When continuing with the same food, participants consumed less of the slow meal. Further, differences in food intake during the ad libitum meal were not compensated at a subsequent snacking opportunity an hour later. Together, these findings suggest that variations in oral processing across a range of unmodified everyday meals can affect fullness after consuming a fixed portion and can also impact meal size. Modifying food form to encourage increased oral processing (albeit to a lesser extent than in experimental manipulations) might represent a viable target for food manufacturers to help to nudge consumers to manage their weight.

Adding flavours can encourage food intake in older adults for health benefits. The use and attitudes of 22 community-dwelling UK older adults (15 females, aged 65-83 years) towards foods and products that add flavour, e.g., sauces and seasonings, were investigated. Participants used foods/products to add flavour when cooking and eating from 0 to 17 times/day. Taste and flavour were important, and foods/products could add flavour, make foods more pleasant and did not cause discomfort. There were concerns, however, over the healthiness of some foods/products, while consuming a healthy diet and one's health were important. Reasons for adding flavours largely centred around 'meal enhancement', reasons for not adding flavours focused on 'the product itself' and 'characteristics of the meal', but there was 'variation' and many 'individual differences'. Our findings highlight the benefits of adding flavours for food intakes, particularly the use of naturally flavoursome foods, such as herbs, spices, onion and garlic.

Compared to other protein-rich foods, eggs are of soft texture, easy to cook, and low cost, and may be useful in increasing protein intakes in older adults. Focus groups and interviews were used to explore all reasons for consuming and not consuming eggs in older adults. Forty-two individuals (20 males, 22 females, aged 56-96 years) took part in one of eight focus groups or two individual interviews. Thematic analyses revealed 69 different reasons for eating or not eating eggs in this population. Reasons were related to: hedonics, properties of the food, preparation style, convenience, physical environment, variety, physical health/abilities, nutrition and health knowledge, food safety, social environment, morality, emotion, and habit. Some of these reasons are likely to be specific to egg consumption in older adults, e.g. properties of the food and convenience combined with physical health/abilities. Some reasons are also likely to be more relevant to older than younger individuals, e.g. medical factors. Investigation of the reasons most related to intake on a population-wide scale would aid the development of interventions.

Dietary protein has an important impact on health, physical functioning, and muscle mass, and it has been suggested that older adults need more dietary protein than younger adults(1) . Compared to other protein rich foods, eggs are easy to cook, of long shelf life, and low cost; so they may be of help in increasing protein intake in older adults. Reasons for eating or not eating eggs in adults aged 55 years and older were identified in a focus group study(2) and then used to design a structured questionnaire which was sent out to a National sample(3) . Our questionnaire results showed that older adults who eat more eggs report that they think eggs taste good and add variety to the diet. Adding flavour and more variety may encourage intakes in those who consume fewer eggs. A randomized controlled intervention study was designed to increase egg and protein intake, by providing recipes of protein-rich egg-based meals and herbs/spice packets, to encourage the addition of flavour and variety to the diet. Community dwelling adults aged 55 years and over were randomized to receive dietary information followed by either 6 recipes and relevant herbs/spices every fortnight for 3 months, or northing further. Dietary intake (Food Frequency Questionnaire(4) ), body composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), handgrip strength, and physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)(5) ) were assessed at baseline, and will be assessed again after the 3-month intervention period and at a 6-month follow up. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02777918). All participants have so far completed baseline sessions. A total of 100 participants are taking part - 54 females and 46 males; mean age at baseline was 70 ± 7 years, range 55–97 years. Egg intake was 22 ± 16 eggs per month, which is higher than the National Diet and Nutrition Survey data indicating that British older adults (65yrs+) consume 33 g of eggs and egg dishes per month (equivalent to up to 16

Many factors impact on eating behaviour and nutritional status in older adults. Strategies can be suggested to combat the impact of these factors, including the development of novel food products, but food neophobia ("the reluctance to eat and/or avoidance of novel foods") may be a barrier to the acceptance of these foods/products. This work aimed to investigate associations between food neophobia, physical disadvantage, and demographic characteristics in adults over 55 years old. Cross-sectional data from 377 older adults was analysed for relationships between food neophobia scores and physical disadvantage (denture wearing, help with food shopping and/or preparing, and risk of sarcopenia), controlling for age group, gender, living status, education, and employment level. Initial analyses demonstrated higher food neophobia scores in association with denture wearing (Beta = 0.186, p = 0.001). However, when demographic characteristics were also considered, food neophobia scores were no longer related to denture wearing (Beta = 0.069, p = 0.226) but instead were related to a higher age, living alone, and a shorter education (smallest Beta = -0.104, p = 0.048). Food neophobia may thus act as a barrier to the consumption of novel foods/products in those who are of higher age, are living alone, and have a shorter education.

Dietary protein has an important impact on health, physical functioning, and muscle mass, and the prevalence of protein specific under-nutrition is high among older adults. Eggs are a nutrient dense, high quality source of protein. Compared to other protein rich foods, eggs are easy to cook, of low cost, long shelf life, soft texture, and they are familiar to most people. Therefore this PhD project aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators specific to egg intake in older adults, and use these in a food-based approach to increase egg and dietary protein intake in community dwelling older adults aged over 55 years old. Focus groups were used to identify reasons for eating or not eating eggs in adults aged 55 years and older. The 69 different reasons found were then used to design a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire results reveal that the questionnaire statements (based on the reasons) can significantly predict egg consumption in a population wide sample of British older adults. The reasons significantly related to egg consumption reveal several topics to focus on when designing strategies to increase egg consumption in older adults. One of the outcomes showed that older adults who eat more eggs report thinking eggs taste good and add variety to the diet. Adding flavour and more variety may encourage intakes in those who consume fewer eggs. A randomized controlled intervention study was designed to increase egg and protein intake, by providing recipes of protein-rich egg-based meals and herb/spice packets to encourage the addition of flavour and variety to the diet. The results showed that being in the intervention group was significantly related to higher egg intake at a follow up session at the end of the study, but not directly after the intervention. Protein intake was not different between the groups at either of the time points. The current research has showed that exposing older adults to recipes and herb/spice packets can change their egg consum