Journal article
Understanding barriers and motivators for fruit and vegetable intake in female stroke survivors: a qualitative study
Disability and rehabilitation, Vol.First online, pp.1-17
31/07/2026
PMID: 42535618
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Purpose: Adequate fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is the foundation of a healthy diet; however, intake is especially low among stroke survivors. This study explores barriers and motivators to FV intake in female stroke survivors and informs strategies to improve well-being.
Methods: Female stroke survivors completed questionnaires and attended either a focus group or an interview, with the resulting transcripts analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Ten female stroke survivors aged (mean [SD]) 66.3 [17.1] years completed the study. Across the focus groups (n = 3) and interviews (n = 2), three themes emerged: (1) "Navigating alone," reported that survivors felt left to fend for themselves for dietary support and education. (2) "If it's good for me" identified a willingness to improve FV intake and nutrition literacy. (3) "Make it easy" highlighted the need for compensatory strategies to raise FV intake. Barriers to FV intake included physical impairments, fatigue, and memory loss. These barriers impacted food shopping, preparation, and consumption, necessitating reliance on family and compensatory strategies. Motivators included education, simplified recipes, reminders, and pre-prepared options.
Conclusion: Female stroke survivors wanted more dietary education, FV knowledge, support, and practical stroke-appropriate resources. Incorporating these findings into rehabilitation planning may improve the well-being of female stroke survivors.
Details
- Title
- Understanding barriers and motivators for fruit and vegetable intake in female stroke survivors: a qualitative study
- Creators
- Caroline R. Hill - Edith Cowan UniversityJack Dalla Via - Edith Cowan UniversityLauren C. Blekkenhorst - Edith Cowan UniversityMontana Dupuy - Edith Cowan UniversityRosanne Freak-Poli - Monash UniversityLiezhou Zhong - Edith Cowan UniversityJonathan M. Hodgson - Edith Cowan UniversityMoira Sim - Edith Cowan UniversityMandy Stanley - Edith Cowan UniversityAmanda Devine - Edith Cowan UniversitySimone Radavelli-Bagatini - Edith Cowan University
- Publication Details
- Disability and rehabilitation, Vol.First online, pp.1-17
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 17
- Identifiers
- 991013402966902368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article