title: Exercise as a gateway behavior for healthful eating among older adults: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between eating and exercise behavior change may influence effectiveness of interventions for older adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether exercise is a potential gateway behavior for healthful eating behavior among older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Transtheoretical Model was applied to eating and exercise behaviors through the administration of a cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  205 older adults (the majority were white women) participating in congregate dining programs in a large Midwestern city.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, and stage of change related to exercise and eating habits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in responses to survey items based on stage of change were determined by analysis of variance, P <.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects in later stages for exercise behavior were also likely to be in later stages for eating adequate servings of fruit and dairy products but not for vegetables and avoiding fat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise is a potential gateway behavior for some dietary behaviors for older adults, justifying further controlled, longitudinal research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reicks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy