Developing a novel, food-based intervention to improve nutritional health and ageing in older South Asian and Black African and Caribbean communities living in the UK – co-produced research project
Eating well is an important part of staying healthy as we get older. In the UK, people from South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean communities are more likely to develop conditions like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure at earlier ages. However, standard healthy eating advice often overlooks traditional foods and cooking styles. The TANGERINE study aims to change this. Researchers from Bournemouth University are partnering with local community groups to learn about everyday food habits, cultural traditions, and the challenges older adults face when trying to eat well. Taking part does not involve any drugs or medical tests. Instead, adults aged 60 and older will share their views through friendly interviews, group chats, or by taking photos of their everyday meals. This valuable knowledge will help create practical food guides designed specifically for these communities.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Nutrition plays a major role in how well we age. Eating a balanced diet from midlife onwards can protect your heart, support your mobility, and improve your overall quality of life. Even so, many older adults from South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean backgrounds face serious diet-related health problems earlier in life than other groups. General advice, like following a Mediterranean diet, can be helpful, but it does not always fit naturally with beloved cultural dishes or traditional family cooking.
The TANGERINE study is designed to bridge this gap. Researchers want to celebrate and understand traditional ways of eating rather than asking people to abandon them. By looking at how cultural foods help people stay connected to their heritage and friends, the study aims to uncover what helps or hinders healthy eating in daily life.
To make sure the project truly reflects real life, researchers are working hand-in-hand with community organisations. Together, they will use your experiences to build a practical toolkit. Healthcare workers and community leaders can then use these recommendations to offer meaningful, culturally respectful dietary advice that helps older people live healthier, happier lives.
Key takeaways
- The study explores how cultural foods can support healthy ageing in older adults.
- Open to people aged 60 and over from South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean backgrounds living in the UK.
- Taking part involves sharing your food habits through chats, interviews, or meal photos.
- There are no medicines, health tests, or required dietary changes involved.
- Your input will help build better, culturally sensitive nutrition guides for the future.
Who may be eligible?
You may be able to take part if you are aged 60 or older and live in the UK. You must identify as being from a South Asian, Black African, or Black Caribbean background.
The researchers are looking for people with all kinds of dietary habits—you do not need to follow a special diet or have any specific health conditions to join.
Professionals and community workers who have experience in older adult nutrition, such as NHS staff, volunteers, or local charity leaders, are also invited to take part in a separate part of the project.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- I am aged 60 or older.
- I currently live in the United Kingdom.
- I have a South Asian, Black African, or Black Caribbean background.
- I am comfortable talking about my daily meals, food traditions, and health experiences.
What does participation involve?
Taking part in this study is entirely non-medical. You will not have to take any medicines, undergo blood tests, or change what you eat. Instead, participation is focused on sharing your personal thoughts and everyday experiences with food.
You may be invited to take part in an individual interview or a small, friendly group discussion with other older adults. You might also be asked to take photographs of your regular meals and snacks to help guide the conversation. The research team will work closely with community venues to ensure meetings are accessible and welcoming. Your total time commitment will usually be a few hours spread over one or two sessions, and the wider project will run until September 2026.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Bournemouth UniversityApproximatePoole, England
Common questions
Will I have to change what I eat during the study?
No. The researchers want to learn about what you normally eat and enjoy. You will not be asked to follow a strict diet or give up traditional foods.
Are there any medical tests or treatments involved?
No. This is a social and dietary research project, so there are no medications, physical examinations, or clinical procedures.
What does 'co-produced' research mean?
It means the study is designed and run as a partnership between university researchers and local community members, ensuring the work is respectful and relevant to real life.
Where will the discussions take place?
Discussions are usually held in accessible community spaces, such as local community centres, or sometimes online or over the telephone depending on what suits you best.
Who is funding and running this project?
The project is run by researchers at Bournemouth University and is funded by the Medical Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation).
How to find out more
Pooja Shah
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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