The Assessment of Eating Pleasure among Older Adults: Development and Preliminary Validation of the Anticipatory and Consummatory Eating Pleasure (ACEPS)

Objective Maintaining eating pleasure as long as possible is one of the determinants that contributes to and encourages good nutrition in the ageing population. Our study aimed to translate, adapt to the context of food and validate the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (which distinguishes anticipatory and consummatory experiences of pleasure) in a food dependent older French population. Design Prospective validation study. Setting 199 participants dependent for their meals, over 65 years old and living at home. Measurements A pool of 16 self-reported items constituted the initial version of the anticipatory and consummatory eating pleasure scale (ACEPS). Demographic data, nutritional status, appetite and depressive mood were also assessed. Results The exploratory factorial analysis and also the confirmatory factor analysis highlighted a two-factor model: anticipatory eating pleasure (four items) and consummatory eating pleasure (four items). The ACEPS showed good internal consistency. A higher score on the ACEPS positively correlated with appetite. Consummatory eating pleasure positively correlated with nutritional status and negatively correlated with depressive moods. The oldest-old and also those receiving a meals-on-wheels service had lower scores for anticipatory pleasure (r=-.14, p<.03). Conclusion To our knowledge, the ACEPS is the first comprehensive measure of eating pleasure distinguishing anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. This short measure, easily applicable on older people with vulnerability, allows early identification and intervention preventing malnutrition and decline in health. Specifically, encouraging anticipatory eating pleasure may be a first step to improving food intake among older adults.