title: Needs and preference assessment for an in-home nutrition education program using social marketing theory.
abstract: Nutrition education programs for elder caregivers (CG) and their elder care recipients (CR) are important in preventing malnutrition. Using Social Marketing Theory, this study assessed the needs and preferences for nutrition education in elder CGs and their CRs in Guilford County, NC. Thirty-two pairs of community-residing elder CGs/CRs and three focus groups (FGs) participated. Health and diet questionnaires were administered to all CGs/CRs during in-home interviews. CGs/CRs and FGs evaluated nutrition education materials. Questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS v9. Ethnograph v5.0 was used to code the interviews regarding the education materials. The CGs were middle age (58.9 years), overweight (BMI = 28.8) Caucasian women. The CRs were old (79.4 years), overweight (BMI = 26.0) Caucasian women. Identified malnutrition risk factors of CGs and CRs included inadequate fluid and dietary intake, polypharmacy, and chronic disease. Identified nutrition needs and education preferences of CGs/CRs were similar. Perceived nutrition education preferences of the FGs did not reflect the interests of the CGs/CRs. This information is being used to revise the education materials and develop an in-home nutrition education program for CGs and CRs in Guilford County, NC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Martha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Amy Williams
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Strickland
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009657:North Carolina; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D040241:Social Marketing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires