Abstract
Although its definition is vague both legally and in the field of nutrition science, health foods are widely used in Japan. The purpose of this study is to examine lay perspectives on health food among seniors. The study explored how seniors conceptualized so-called ‘health food’, dietary supplements, functional foods and medications, and why they use them. From the semi-structured interviews, lay people are indifferent to the authorized evidence-based claims on food. The seniors use health food because they 1) believe it has a benefit to their mental or physical condition, 2) can afford it, 3) believe that its use helps them keep good relationships with their significant others, and 4) think it does no harm. Health foods are also used for reasons which are not health related.
