2025 Volume 33 Issue 3 Pages 209-216
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of incorporating an “add-on” nutrition education program to existing physical activity programs to prevent frailty for community-dwelling older adults.
Program contents: In two community settings in Tokyo, a nutrition education program was planned, conducted, and assessed for 21 older adults who had already engaged in physical activity programs to prevent frailty. From February to November 2024, 10 monthly sessions (15 minutes/session) were provided regarding vegetable and protein intake, osteoporosis prevention, meal intake, salt reduction, and alcohol intake. The program was assessed using implementation and process evaluations, and before-after comparison of dietary variety scores.
Program evaluation: Program implementation indicated that it was conducted using appropriate tools (handouts and flip boards) by well-trained instructors with the only costs incurred being for stationery and transportation fees. The average number of participants was 15.8 per session, and the process evaluation results were favorable. Median scores for participants’ satisfaction, understanding, usability, and potential for practice were all above 4 out of 5 per session. Dietary variety scores tended to increase after the program, but this difference was not significant.
Conclusions: This study confirmed the feasibility of incorporating an “add-on” nutrition education program and indicated that focusing on diet variety in the program contents could enhance its effectiveness.
