title: Effects of a Group-Based Behavioral Intervention on Dietary Behaviors in Older Adults.
abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a 12-week, behavioral nutrition intervention on dietary behaviors.
  
  
  
  Inactive older adults ( N = 50) were randomized to a 12-week, behavioral nutrition or physical activity intervention, delivered in a group-based format. Questionnaires assessed fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, and fat- and fiber-related behaviors at baseline and postintervention. Height and weight were measured. Repeated-measures ANOVAs examined changes in dietary behaviors over time between groups, controlling for age, gender, and education.
  
  
  
  Participants averaged 64.1 ± 8.4 years of age and had a body mass index (BMI) of 33.3 ± 7.5 kg/m2. Group × Time interactions were significant for FV consumption ( p = .003), and fat- ( p = .02) and fiber-related ( p = .008) behaviors at 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, dietary behaviors improved significantly in the nutrition but not in the physical activity group. Effect sizes were medium to large.
  
  
  
  A 12-week, behavioral nutrition intervention improved dietary behaviors. Behavioral interventions may be a low-cost way to improve dietary behaviors among older adults, potentially affecting population health significantly.
authors.affiliation: 1 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schlaff
authors.affiliation: 1 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baruth
authors.affiliation: 2 Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: 3 Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
authors.forename: Tatum M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Goldufsky
authors.affiliation: 4 University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: 1 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Graceson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: 1 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boggs
authors.affiliation: 1 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ewald
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: aging; behavioral interventions; healthy eating behaviors