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Nutrition behaviors of congregate and home delivered meal participants: the short term impact of nutrition education and counseling
Author(s) -
Wunderlich Shahla M,
Bai Yeon,
Piemonte Jacqueline
Publication year - 2010
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.24.1_supplement.213.3
Subject(s) - medicine , nutrition education , meal , intervention (counseling) , gerontology , population , meal preparation , environmental health , nursing , food science , chemistry , pathology
The purpose of this study is to investigate nutrition behaviors and risk factors (RF) of seniors participating in government sponsored nutrition programs, Congregate Meal Program (CGM) and Home Delivered Meal Program (HDM), in Hudson County New Jersey. A two‐year intervention study (2007–2008) was conducted with 476 participants (n=354 CGM, n=122 HDM, 74.6% completion rate). Participants received regular topical nutrition education/counseling during intervention. The impact of the intervention was evaluated using ANOVA/chi‐square on Nutrition Survey Risk Screening (pre‐ vs. post‐). Demography of participants was white (55.5%), women (66.7%), and widowed (45.5%) and 75.5 years ± 10.5. The proportion of participants having ≥ 2 medical conditions was greater in 2008 ( p <0.01). After intervention, nutrition RF scores improved: 5.76 to 5.32 ( p =0.14) in CGM, 8.1 to 6.1 ( p <0.01) in HDM. A slight improvement in nutrition behaviors was noted: eating ≥ 2 meals/day in HDM (76 to 81.6 %, p = .310), eating ≥ 5 servings of fruits/vegetables in CGM (38 to 41.4 %, p =.398), and alcohol drinking ≥ 3 servings in CGM (8.4 to 4.8%, p =0.08). Participation in these programs helps seniors to stay healthy and improve overall wellness. There is a need for consistent nutrition assessment and evaluation of the participants to determine long‐term effects as the older population is rising. Supported by DHHS, Hudson County Area Agency on Aging.