Tailoring nutrition education intervention programs to meet needs and interests of older adults

Abstract

Methods for determining appropriate content of older adult nutrition education intervention programs and strategies for effectively delivering nutrition messages to older learners are presented. Educators can determine the nutrition education needs and interests of their older learners by using results of food intake surveys and assessment screening tools, written surveys, interviews and group discussions. Findings of recent reports using these methods are summarized. Additionally, published experiences with and suggestions for tailoring education intervention programs for older adult audiences, including those of particular racial/ethnic groups, are reviewed. The need for research in this area is presented. This article is one of a series of literature reviews of topics related to nutrition education for older adults.