Estudio sobre las actitudes y comportamientos saludables de la gente mayor en su hidratación

The objective of this "Study of the health-related attitudes and behavior of older adults regarding their hydration" is to understand the hydration-related habits of adults over the age of 50 in Spain. This study adopts a social perspective, focusing on consumption habits and leaving aside for the moment the medical perspective. By doing so, internal and external factors that influence consumption can be studied, and the trans-theoretical model of behavioral change developed by authors including Prochaska, DiClemente, and Andreasen can be applied. The analysis of consumption patterns shows that two-thirds of adults over 50 in Spain fail to achieve proper levels of hydration, defined as a minimum consumption of two liters of hydrating liquids per day, and also reveals the fact that insufficient hydration is a problem that worsens with increasing age. Among the factors that influence consumption levels are positive ones such as feeling thirsty, taking care of one's health and appearance, getting exercise, social and cultural consumption of beverages, and responses to environmental factors. Among the negative influential factors, the effects of aging and difficulties with making purchases can be highlighted. This study also considers the processes involved in the transition from undesirable behavior, where the minimum of two liters per day is not consumed, and desirable behavior, where this level is in fact attained. The five stages that an individual passes through when making a behavioral change are identified and quantified. Also, the processes that favor these changes are explained, which include deepening awareness of the problem, having helpful tools available, and understanding the benefits of change.