Short Report
Development of a nutrition and physical activity booklet to engage seniors
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* Corresponding author: Peter Howat P.Howat@curtin.edu.au
- † Equal contributors
1 School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
2 Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
3 National Heart Foundation, Western Australia Division, 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia
BMC Research Notes 2008, 1:77 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-1-77
Published: 4 September 2008Abstract
Background
This paper describes the development and process evaluation of an interactive booklet aimed at motivating older adults to improve their nutrition and physical activity.
Findings
The booklet was developed in consultation with seniors via focus groups, individual interviews and self administered questionnaires. The booklet was disseminated to a group of 114 seniors as the main component of a 12-week intervention program. Process evaluation was conducted during and at the end of the intervention period.
A large proportion of participants (86%) were engaged in the program in that they had, as a minimum, read the booklet. The majority of the participants found the booklet provided them with useful and interesting advice in an easy-to-read and informative manner. Three quarters (76%) reported the materials to be motivating and increased their awareness of nutrition and physical activity, while 79% intended to continue with changes to their physical activity and diet after the program concluded.