Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) developed an intervention to help program providers and communities improve the health of a growing number of low-income older adults. The intervention is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Response:
Eat Smart, Live Strong: Nutrition Education for Older Adults is designed to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among 60-74-year-olds participating in or eligible for FNS nutrition assistance programs. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) developed the intervention to help program providers and communities improve the health of a growing number of low-income older adults. The intervention is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid Eat Smart, Live Strong is four fun, social, and interactive sessions. These sessions are designed to help older adults adopt two behaviors that may improve their health and overall well-being. The two behaviors are: • Eat at least 31/2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day (11/2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables) • Participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days. Two series were held in Linn County this quarter.

Impact:
The leader of one group said: “Your presentations have really been helpful to my group. Most of them are 80+ years old and do not have access to nutritional information that you have provided them. They have expressed how much they have enjoyed your presentations and getting the handouts has proven to inspire them to change or add foods to their diets. I do feel they get a sense of being important when you are there. You have taken the time for them, and that means so much. We certainly would enjoy any other presentations that you may have.” One participant in this group at the last meeting said that the first exercise we started with really felt good. Her neck had been hurting and this simple stretch seemed to feel good. Other testimonials from the Cedar Hills apartment group when asked how useful was the information you learned from this session: • “Learned things I didn’t know.” • “To know how much food is needed.” • “I didn’t know about washing some fruits.”

 

Contact:
Susan Uthoff
Linn County Extension
3279 7th Ave, Ste 140
Marion, IA 52302
319-377-9839
x1uthoff@iastate.edu