Change in protein intake in elderly French people living at home after a nutritional information program targeting protein consumption.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of a nutrition information program targeting protein consumption in elderly people.


METHODS
Participants individually completed a questionnaire on food consumption and answered an attitude questionnaire (first survey period). Half of the participants (message group) participated in an information program targeting protein consumption, whereas the other half (control group) were not given any information. Two weeks after the program, both groups participated in the same surveys again (second survey period).


METHODS
Eighty-two healthy subjects (65 to 75 years old) living at home participated in this study.


METHODS
A two-way multivariate analysis of variance, paired t tests, and chi2 tests were performed to determine the influence of group (control versus message) and gender on the differences in protein consumption and in attitudes between the first and second survey periods.


RESULTS
In the second survey period, the control group participants decreased their protein intake by an average of 0.049 g/lb/day, mainly by a reduction in meat product consumption. Conversely, the message group participants increased their protein intake by 0.041 g/lb/day, with a greater increase for the women (0.059) than the men (0.023 g/lb/day). After the nutrition information program, knowledge, perceived control on health, and belief that sensory perception decreased with age were higher among the message group participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition knowledge and protein intake increased significantly among the message group participants. Thus, it is possible to change dietary practice and knowledge in elderly individuals by information targeting one nutrition message.
Rousset
Sylvie
S
INRA, CRNH, Protein Energy Metabolism Unit, Clermont-Ferrand. France. rousset@clermont.inra.fr
Droit-Volet
Sylvie
S
Boirie
Yves
Y
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004044:Dietary Proteins