Physical activity and nutrition behavioural outcomes of a home-based intervention program for seniors: a randomized cont
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RESEARCH
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Physical activity and nutrition behavioural outcomes of a home-based intervention program for seniors: a randomized controlled trial Linda Burke1*, Andy H Lee1, Jonine Jancey1, Liming Xiang2, Deborah A Kerr1, Peter A Howat1,3, Andrew P Hills4 and Annie S Anderson5
Abstract Background: This intervention aimed to ascertain whether a low-cost, accessible, physical activity and nutrition program could improve physical activity and nutrition behaviours of insufficiently active 60–70 year olds residing in Perth, Australia. Methods: A 6-month home-based randomised controlled trial was conducted on 478 older adults (intervention, n = 248; control, n = 230) of low to medium socioeconomic status. Both intervention and control groups completed postal questionnaires at baseline and post-program, but only the intervention participants received project materials. A modified fat and fibre questionnaire measured nutritional behaviours, whereas physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Generalised estimating equation models were used to assess the repeated outcomes over both time points. Results: The final sample consisted of 176 intervention participants and 199 controls (response rate 78.5%) with complete data. After controlling for demographic and other confounding factors, the intervention group demonstrated increased participation in strength exercise (p < 0.001), walking (p = 0.029) and vigorous activity (p = 0.015), together with significant reduction in mean sitting time (p < 0.001) relative to controls. Improvements in nutritional behaviours for the intervention group were also evident in terms of fat avoidance (p < 0.001), fat intake (p = 0.021) and prevalence of frequent fruit intake (p = 0.008). Conclusions: A minimal contact, low-cost and home-based physical activity program can positively influence seniors’ physical activity and nutrition behaviours. Trial registration: anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12609000735257 Keywords: Fat avoidance, Fibre intake, Fruit intake, Goal setting, Sitting, Strength exercise, Vegetable intake, Walking
Background Physical activity is known to decline with age [1]. In Australia, 51% of the older population aged 60 to 75 years are insufficiently active, with the highest prevalence of inactive behaviour being reported in adults over 75 years of age [2]. Similarly, rates of physical activity among American adults aged 65 years and older are low, with only 20% of women and 25% of men meeting the national recommended physical activity guidelines [3], * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
while 26% of those in the 65–74 age group are inactive [4]. Research has demonstrated that sedentary behaviours may be linked to obesity, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes [5-11]. Moreover, as people age, their nutritional requirements change and energy requirements decrease. Older adults shoul
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