Abstract

BUJANDA SAINZ DE MURIETA, Elena et al. Evaluation of a nutritional intervention among elderly people: the Edumay Project. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.1, pp.132-139. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2014.30.1.7339.

Background: The adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern is associated with a morbi-mortality reduction, and with a better quality of life. Objectives: To evaluate a nutritional intervention among independent elderly people enrolled in an educational program to increase the knowledge of the food and daily diets, promoting a healthy dietary pattern. Methods: Quasi-experimental design conducted in elderly participants who lived in foster home apartments owned by the City Council of Pamplona (n = 41). The intervention was based on six group sessions and an individual motivational session in a period of three months. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was evaluated through a 14-point scale previously validated. Results: Eighty point five per cent of participants were women, with a median age of 79 years, the majority of them widowed (48.8%) and with primary education (58.5%). After the nutritional intervention the percentage of participants who consumed two or more servings of vegetables increased significantly versus the control group (p = 0.042). Similarly, in comparison with the control group, there was an increase in the percentage of participants who consumed three servings per week of legumes (p = 0.042), three or more servings per week of nuts (p = 0.003), and those who consumed preferably meat from chicken, turkey, or rabbit instead of veal, pork, hamburgers, or sausages (p = 0.011). Discussion: An intervention based on individual and group sessions improved significantly several parameters of a Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Keywords : Elderly; Nutritional education; Mediterranean diet; Foster homes.

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