None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The Finnish population is ageing rapidly: the estimated amount and portion of older people is greatly increasing in the coming years. Lower nutritional status and food intake related to ageing lead to weakening of physical functioning and quality of life and delayed recovery from illnesses. Often small changes or enhancements in diet may impact positively on health, physical functioning and quality of life. In turn, these will support living at home and recovering from illnesses. New, effective and cost-efficient ways for nutrition education are needed. In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of nutrition education and advice, targeted to community dwelling older people and implemented in peer groups, on protein and food intake, physical functioning, quality of diet, weight and body mass index, and quality of life. The study participants are over 65 years old who live at home. Other inclusion criteria are SPPB-score 4-9 and MMSE-score over 24. Exclusion criteria are individuals who don’t go outside, severe kidney disease, type I diabetes, malignant tumors, BMI <18,5 or >35 and alcohol abuse. The participants are randomized into intervention and control groups. The length of intervention is three months. People in intervention group take part into the Eating for Strong Ageing -education group after the baseline measurements. People in control group can take part into the education after final measurements. At baseline, we gather background information from the participants. Also, protein and food intake (3-day food diaries), quality of diet (IDQ, Index of Diet Quality), nutritional status (MNA), physical functioning (SPPB, Short Physical Performance Battery), cognitive functioning (MMSE), weight, height, body mass index and quality of life (15D) are examined. Three months after baseline, we examine the protein and food intake, quality of diet, physical functioning, weight, body mass index and quality of life.
Interventions
"Eating for strong ageing - ESA-study" concept includes four peer group meetings and home work instructioned by health professionals. Nutritionist educates health professionals before the trial. Each meeting lasts approx. two hours. Themes for the meetings are: 1. ageing and nutrition, 2. personal examining of food diaries and protein intake, 3. health impact of physical activity, 4. repetition of good nutrition from practical point of view and peer experiences. Meetings involve lectures, homewo
"Eating for strong ageing - ESA-study" concept includes four peer group meetings and home work instructioned by health professionals. Nutritionist educates health professionals before the trial. Each meeting lasts approx. two hours. Themes for the meetings are: 1. ageing and nutrition, 2. personal examining of food diaries and protein intake, 3. health impact of physical activity, 4. repetition of good nutrition from practical point of view and peer experiences. Meetings involve lectures, homework and discussion. Meetings last 2 hours within 2 months depending on the wishes from the group and practical arrangements. One group consists of 8-12 participants.Meetings will be administered by a nutritionist or a health professional who has received education and later counseling during the course if needed. Home work involves filling three days food diaries and assessing personal health related daily activities. Food diaries and other life style activities will be monitored in peer groups with the guidance of the professional group leader. The whole intervention is based on constructive learning theory.
Sponsors
Society for Gerontological Nutrition in Finland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- Age > 65 years - Community-dwelling (with or without home care) - SPPB score at baseline 4 - 9 - Able to eat independently - Willing to eat protein-rich food products
Exclusion criteria
- Bedridden or wheelchair bound - Individuals who do not go outside - Diagnosed severe kidney disease - Diagnosed with type I diabetes mellitus - History of active malignancy (with the exception of basal cell carcinoma) - Low cognitive status (MMSE score, less than 24) - Malnourished, defined as having a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 - Obese, defined as having a BMI > 35 kg/m2 - Vegans - Alcohol abuse - Eating disorder (such bulimia, anorexia ) - Planned to move out of the study area or unavailable (due to for instance holidays) in the next 3 months
Outcome results
None listed