A home-based nutrition intervention to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods in community dwelling elders.
OBJECTIVE
To increase fruit, vegetable, and calcium-rich food consumption in community-dwelling, functionally impaired elderly.


METHODS
Six-month, home-based nutrition intervention study.


METHODS
Seventy men and women older than age 69 years were randomized to either a nutrition education intervention (n = 38) or a control group that received an exercise intervention (n = 32).


METHODS
Nutrition education was designed to increase fruit, vegetable, and calcium-rich food consumption.


METHODS
Food intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood measures of nutrients and carotenoids were performed. Statistical Analysis Two-group randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test design and intention-to-treat analysis. Analysis of covariance to was used to assess differences between the two groups. Baseline and change partial correlation coefficients were performed between intake and blood nutrient levels. Paired t tests were conducted to test within-group changes.


RESULTS
Compared with the exercise group, subjects in nutrition group increased their self-reported intake of fruits by 1.1 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SEM) servings per day (2.8 to 3.9, P = .01), vegetables 1.1 +/- 0.2 servings per day (2.3 to 3.4, P = .001), and milk/dairy 0.9 +/- 0.2 servings per day (3.0 to 3.9, P = .001). There was an increase in the dietary intake of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in the nutrition group and this correlated with the increase in blood concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (P < or = .02; r = 0.33 and r = 0.33, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that it is possible to improve the dietary intake of community dwelling elders to include more fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. Recommendations for increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods should be specific and individualized to meet the dietary pattern and lifestyle of the individual. Compliance should be encouraged with record keeping as well as through continuous monitoring and positive reinforcement.
Bernstein
A
A
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Nelson
Miriam E
ME
Tucker
Katherine L
KL
Layne
Jennifer
J
Johnson
Elizabeth
E
Nuernberger
Andrea
A
Castaneda
Carmen
C
Judge
James O
JO
Buchner
David
D
Singh
Maria Fiatarone
MF
D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D003611:Dairy Products; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C041635:alpha-carotene