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Sustainability of a physical activity and nutrition program for seniors

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

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.

Design

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.

Setting

Community and home-based.

Participants

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.

Conclusion

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

    Maria Pasalich, A. H. Lee, J. Jancey & L. Burke

  2. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

    P. Howat

  3. School of Public Health, Curtin University, G.P.O. Box U 1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845

    Maria Pasalich

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  1. Maria Pasalich
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  2. A. H. Lee
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  3. J. Jancey
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  4. L. Burke
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  5. P. Howat
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Correspondence to Maria Pasalich.

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Pasalich, M., Lee, A.H., Jancey, J. et al. Sustainability of a physical activity and nutrition program for seniors. J Nutr Health Aging 17, 486–491 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-012-0433-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-012-0433-1

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