title: Determining knowledge and behaviour change after nutrition screening among older adults.
abstract: Two education interventions involving personalized messages after nutrition screening in older adults were compared to determine changes in nutrition knowledge and risk behaviour. Of 150 older adults randomly selected from a local seniors' centre, 61 completed baseline screening and a demographic and nutrition knowledge questionnaire and were randomized to one of two groups. Group A received personalized letters plus an educational booklet, and Group B received personalized letters only. All materials were sent through the mail. Forty-four participants completed post-test questionnaires to determine change in knowledge and risk behaviour. Both groups had reduced nutrition risk scores and increased knowledge scores at post-test. After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in knowledge change by treatment group. Group A participants experienced greater gains in knowledge, with a mean gain of 5.43 points, than did those in Group B, who had a mean gain of 1.36 points (p=0.018). Screening and education with print materials have the potential to change risk behaviour and nutrition knowledge in older adults. A specially designed booklet on older adults' nutrition risk factors plus a personalized letter provide an effective education strategy for older adults after screening.
authors.affiliation: University of Guelph, ON.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Southgate
authors.forename: Heather H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Holly D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Reimer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires