title: Sustainability of a physical activity and nutrition program for seniors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the impact of a low cost, home-based physical activity and nutrition program for older adults at 6 months follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  A follow-up survey was conducted 6 months after program completion via computer-assisted telephone interviewing. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Fat and Fibre Barometer were used to measure physical activity levels and dietary behaviours, respectively. Self-reported height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were obtained. Changes over three time points of data collection (baseline, post-program, follow-up) and differences between the intervention and control groups were assessed. The use of program materials was also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community and home-based.
  
  
  METHODS
  Insufficiently active 60 to 70 year olds (n = 176, intervention and n = 198, control) residing in suburbs within the Perth metropolitan area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sustained improvement was observed for the intervention group in terms of fat avoidance behaviours (p interaction = .007). Significant improvements were found for strength exercises, fibre intake, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio at either post-program or follow-up, however the overall effect was not significant. At post-program, the intervention group increased time spent participating in moderate activity by 50 minutes (p > .05), which was followed by a significant decline at follow-up (p < .05). Among intervention group participants, males and females differed with respect to strength exercises and moderate physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This low-cost physical activity and nutrition intervention resulted in a sustained improvement in fat avoidance behaviours and overall short-term gains in physical activity. Future studies for older adults are recommended to investigate gender-specific behavioural barriers as well as booster interventions which focus on physical activity.
authors: School of Public Health, Curtin University, G.P.O. Box U 1987, Perth, Western Australia. maria.pasalich@curtin.edu.au
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pasalich
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Lee
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jancey
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Burke
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Howat
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D015431:Weight Loss; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber
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