Community organized food and nutrition education: participation, attitudes and nutritional risk in seniors.

UNLABELLED: Evergreen Action Nutrition (EAN) is a health promotion program designed to facilitate relatively healthy members of a seniors recreation center to maintain their nutritional health as they age. A main goal of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of using the community organization approach to develop a nutrition education program for seniors. METHODS: Using the current membership list, seniors were randomly selected to receive a mailed baseline (n=247) questionnaire. A follow-up survey (n=251) was sent out to randomly selected members three years later to determine participation in EAN and reported behavior change. Although not the same individuals, responses were compared to baseline to determine changes in nutritional risk. Items from the Diet and Health Knowledge survey were compared by EAN participation. RESULTS: The program had a large reach with 162 survey respondents (64.5%) reporting some level of participation and 51% reporting "frequent" participation. Use of informal forms of education predominated (e.g. displays). Significant differences were found between baseline and follow-up for risk attributed to low intake of fruits and vegetables and frequency of eating, with EAN participants having reduced risk of low fruit and vegetable intake. Those participating in formal education (e.g. food workshops) reported more frequent changes in food practices than those participating in informal activities. EAN participants appear to have more healthy nutrition attitudes/beliefs. CONCLUSION: The community organization approach to program planning and delivery leads to the development of diverse and appropriate nutrition education activities for seniors. Informal and formal health promotion activities can be successfully implemented in recreation centers.

Nutritional quality of foods served in contracted second level lodging homes.

The food served in contracted Second Level Lodging Homes (SLLH) in Hamilton-Wentworth was studied to assess compliance with current by-law standards, make recommendations about nutrition standards and identify educational needs. Dietitians collected food frequency data in 62 SLLH and recorded food served during one day. Only 44% of homes provided the minimum servings recommended by 1982 Canada's Food Guide. Recommended nutrient intakes for ten nutrients were met by 20% of homes. Provision of therapeutic diets was inconsistent. The study indicates the need for better nutritional standards and strategies to ensure SLLH residents access to sufficient, nutritious and personally acceptable food.

Perceived needs of Canadian dietitians for continuing education in management.

The purpose of this research was to assess the perceived needs of Canadian dietitians for continuing education in management both currently and as they plan for advancement, career change and development. A self-assessment questionnaire was mailed in January 1985 to 1000 members of the Canadian Dietetic Association (CDA) selected by a systematic randomized technique. Analysis of 450 anonymous questionnaires from employed CDA members showed that 77% were employed full-time and 23% part time. The analysis indicated a profession with a young membership of an eight-year mean and a six-year median in full time practice. A ranked ordering of the types of positions to which dietitians aspired was chief administrative dietitian, consultant, positions in other administration, and then private practice. Personnel and financial management were very important areas for current positions and were expected to be even more so in future. Respondents cited salient factors regarding continuing education programs and prioritized their need for several management topics. These topics were further analyzed according to the present positions of the respondents. This research supports the need for high quality continuing education programs in management for practising dietitians.