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Volume 1:
No. 2, April 2004
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: FEATURED
ABSTRACT FROM THE 18TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRONIC DISEASE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Moving Right Along: A
Creative Partnership to Engage Older Adults in Physical Activity and
Nutrition Programs
DL Chapel, MM McCulla, B Reinsch, C Warren
Suggested citation for this article: Chapel DL,
McCulla MM, Reinsch B, Warren C. Moving right along: a creative partnership
to engage older adults in physical activity and nutrition programs
[abstract].
Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2004 Apr [date cited].
Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/
apr/03_0034d.htm.
PEER REVIEWED
A creative partnership was established among Tri-Parish Nursing
Ministries, The Arthritis Foundation, Missouri Extension Services, and the
Saint Louis County Department of Health to promote quality of life for older
adults through physical activity and health education messages.
Twenty-nine participants met twice a week in a local church to exercise for
one
hour with a trainer from PACE, or People with Arthritis Can Exercise, and then
to receive 30 minutes of nutrition education from a Saint Louis County
registered dietitian using the Missouri Extension's Health for Everybody
program.
A pilot study design was used to engage Saint Louis North County older
adults in a physical activity program. Participants were recruited from
doctors' offices, local churches, grocery stores, and libraries, using
flyers and brochures. Newspaper ads were also used. Outcomes desired
included a minimum participation rate of 50% at the end of
the 6-week sessions, increased flexibility, and positive feelings reported
in
Health for Everybody evaluation forms.
The participation rate for the program was 62% at the end of 6 weeks. Mean
age of participants was 74 years. All participants reported positive
feedback, indicating that they enjoyed sessions and "learned something new." Mean Healthy
Eating Index score was 68.6. Feedback revealed that participants desired
more ways to exercise outside of class, so Tai Chi instruction and
pedometers will be incorporated into future programs.
Nutrition education and structured exercise classes in a safe setting, tailored to varying
levels of ability, engaged older adults for the 6-week session.
Corresponding Author: Denise Chapel, MPH, MS, RD, Program
Manager, Community Nutrition, Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services, 290 Wildwood Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Telephone:
573-751-6183. E-mail: Chapeld@dhss.state.mo.us.
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