A Nursing Intervention to Improve Nutrition for Health Promotion for a Vulnerable, Urban, Adult Group
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Low-income adults often have nutrition-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Factors identified as contributing to these issues are lack of nutrition education and lack of access to quality, healthy food choices. The purpose of the study is to improve nutrition for health promotion in a group of vulnerable adults in an urban setting, and answer questions of 1) will a program of targeted nutrition education, with advocacy for quality food, be associated with increased nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior change? 2) Will such an intervention result in increased self-efficacy for food choices and their impact on health? SUBJECTS: Twenty low-income adult residents of government-subsidized housing, mentally and/or physically disabled, and/or over age 62. Many have obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and limited access to healthy food. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An 8-session nutrition/health promotion educational program was presented collaboratively with community nutrition educators. It included group discussion, recipes, food tasting, and overcoming barriers to good nutrition. Demographic information and pre- and post-test data for nutrition knowledge, behavior and self-efficacy were collected, plus open ended questions regarding what was “learned today” and “intended change”. Community advocacy and leadership for access to nutritious food accompanied the intervention. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, examination of open-ended question themes. RESULTS: Preliminary results suggest that the classes had an impact on nutrition knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Continuing to provide education and community advocacy is a worthwhile endeavor.
A Nursing Intervention to Improve Nutrition for Health Promotion for a Vulnerable, Urban, Adult Group
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Low-income adults often have nutrition-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Factors identified as contributing to these issues are lack of nutrition education and lack of access to quality, healthy food choices. The purpose of the study is to improve nutrition for health promotion in a group of vulnerable adults in an urban setting, and answer questions of 1) will a program of targeted nutrition education, with advocacy for quality food, be associated with increased nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior change? 2) Will such an intervention result in increased self-efficacy for food choices and their impact on health? SUBJECTS: Twenty low-income adult residents of government-subsidized housing, mentally and/or physically disabled, and/or over age 62. Many have obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and limited access to healthy food. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An 8-session nutrition/health promotion educational program was presented collaboratively with community nutrition educators. It included group discussion, recipes, food tasting, and overcoming barriers to good nutrition. Demographic information and pre- and post-test data for nutrition knowledge, behavior and self-efficacy were collected, plus open ended questions regarding what was “learned today” and “intended change”. Community advocacy and leadership for access to nutritious food accompanied the intervention. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, examination of open-ended question themes. RESULTS: Preliminary results suggest that the classes had an impact on nutrition knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Continuing to provide education and community advocacy is a worthwhile endeavor.