Designing food for healthy ageing: Co-creation with seniors using focus groups and design thinking

Food choices and dietary habits play a crucial role in promoting healthy ageing. Consumer acceptance of food products is higher when they match personal preferences, highlighting the importance of understanding the needs of older adults. This study involved active older adults in the co-creation of foods that support healthy ageing, using a combination of design thinking (DT) and focus group (FG) methodologies. Five virtual FGs ( N = 40) were conducted in Uruguay with participants aged 60 to 74 years, identifying preferred product categories and generating rich, creative ideas. The ongoing DT process enabled rapid image prototyping (AI-generated visual representations) of vegetable soups – the product selected during the FG – across different packaging formats. Survey-based evaluations of product images assessed acceptability and perceived healthiness ( N = 197), guiding further development of a tailored product. Overall, combining DT and FG proved to be an effective, user-centred approach for generating relevant, feasible and appealing food products for older consumers. Rapid image prototyping and iterative testing helped transform ideas into concrete products for seniors. These findings offer practical guidance for food design practice by demonstrating how the integrated methodologies can support the creation of tailored food products. Future research should continue the iterative DT cycle and incorporate real product experiences.