Rural Geriatric Nutrition: Addressing Nutrition Related Knowledge Deficits

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition-related education program on knowledge deficits and the initiation of behavior changes. Design: Mixed methods. Methods: Participant knowledge was compared using a pre- and post-test survey. Initiation of behavior change was assessed through individual nutrition-related goals. Setting: Dillio’s Café, Prattsburgh, NY Participants: In 2023, 12 older adults who utilize the meal program participated. Intervention: In 2023, a nutrition intervention was delivered to all 12 participants via trivia and jeopardy styled games based on the social cognitive theory. Results: Post-test survey scores were significantly greater than the pre-test survey scores with a p<0.05. Initiation of behavior change was notable in 11 participants as seen through individual nutrition-related goals. Conclusions and Implications: Delivering a nutrition education is an effective way to address nutrition-related knowledge deficits and initiating behavior changes for more healthful lives. Additional research is needed to measure compliance to behavior change.