A theory-based newsletter nutrition education program reduces nutritional risk and improves dietary intake for congregate meal participants.
At-risk older adults need community-based nutrition programs that improve nutritional status and practices. This 6-month study assessed the impact of the traditional Chef Charles (CC) program (Control) compared to a theory-based CC program (Treatment) on nutritional risk (NR), dietary intakes, self-efficacy (SE), food security (FS), and program satisfaction for congregate meal participants. Participants were mostly educated, single, "food secure" White females. NR change for the treatment group was significantly higher (P = 0.042) than the control group. No differences were noted for SE or FS change and program satisfaction between groups. The overall distribution classification levels of FS changed significantly (P &#60; .001) from pre to post. Over half (n = 46, 76.7%) reported making dietary changes and the majority (n = 52, 86.7%) rated CC as good to excellent. Results suggest the theory-based CC program (treatment) is more effective in reducing NR and dietary practices than the traditional CC program (control).
a Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) , Iowa State University , Ames , Iowa , USA.
Sarah L
SL
Francis
Lindsay
L
MacNab
Mack
M
Shelley
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D006293:Health Promotion; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012306:Risk; D020377:Self Efficacy; D064407:Senior Centers
community health; congregate meal; dietary intake; nutrition; nutritional status; older adult; program evaluation