Food preparation methods among older adults at Qena city: impact of nutritional educational intervention

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Gerontological Nursing, South Valley University, Egypt.

2 Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assuit University, Egypt

3 Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt.

4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Australia

Abstract

Background: The common preparation methods of usual food types in Egypt are boiling, grilling, frying, or raw and the most used one is frying method. So, It is an inevitable to improve older adults’ nutritional habits especially the food preparation method. Aim: this study aimed to improve older adults' nutritional habits in form of food preparation methods. Method: The study followed a quasi-experimental research design. This study was conducted in the elderly club at Qena city, Egypt. A convenient sample of 106 older adults from total hundred fifty (150) members of the elderly club who fulfilled the inclusions criteria was randomly assigned to experimental or control group. The experimental group received the health education program and the control group didn't receive the health education program. Results: Within the intervention group, the preparation method has been significantly changed from frying to boiling or grilling most of food after telling the participants that the healthy method is boiling and / grilling. Conclusion: The results of the study confirm that there were improvements of older adults' nutritional habits in form of food preparation methods.

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