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Evaluation of a fruit and vegetable education intervention in Georgia’s Older Americans Act Nutrition Program participants
Author(s) -
Hendrix Sara,
Fischer Joan G,
Johnson Mary Ann
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1070
Subject(s) - meal , medicine , intervention (counseling) , evening , calorie , nutrition education , environmental health , gerontology , physics , pathology , astronomy , psychiatry , endocrinology
Diet is a modifiable factor in preventing disease and improving health among older adults. A convenience sample (n = 562, mean age = 75, 83% female, 53% African American) completed a pre‐test, intervention, and post‐test. Eight lessons given over 16 weeks included information on current guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake, and ways to increase fruit and vegetable intake at meals and snacks. Pre‐ and post‐tests examined self‐reported intake of fruits and vegetables at breakfast, lunch, evening meal and snacks, and knowledge of recommended intakes. The following showed significant improvement after the intervention (p < 0.0001): knowledge that 7 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended daily (for 1,600 to 2,200 calories) increased from 7% to 58%, the number of participants reporting 7 or more fruits and vegetables daily increased by 21‐percentage points, and 72%, 67%, and 53% of participants reported eating more fruits and vegetables at lunch, dinner, and snacks, respectively. In conclusion, this intervention improved knowledge and behaviors related to nutrition in older adults. Funding: GA‐DHR, GA Ag. Exp. Station.