Date of Publication

2-24-2010

Abstract

Background: Older adults have unique nutritional needs due to physiologic changes that occur as part of the normal aging process. Maintaining adequate nutrition has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality related to chronic disease, fall risk, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Aging also poses an increased risk of isolation and lack of social interaction, particularly noted at meal times. Unintentional weight loss is an independent risk factor for early mortality. Social eating is related to higher food intake, and meal programs can improve nutritional risk for vulnerable seniors. We partnered with the Cathedral Square Corporation (CSC) to assess nutrition and social eating in residents at Heineberg Senior Housing in Burlington, VT and conducted focus groups to determine general nutritional concerns and evaluate potential interventions.

Advisor(s)

Margaret Holmes, Cathedral Square Corporation

Tom Delaney, PhD, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Molly Dugan, Cathedral Square Corporation

Jennifer Hunter, Cathedral Square Corporation

Patricia Berry, MPH, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Agency

Cathedral Square Corporation

Subjects

Access to Health Services, Educational and Community-Based Programs, Public Health Infrastructure

Notes

Presented at 138th APHA Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, November 9, 2010 as "Nutrition and Social Eating Habits Among Seniors Living Independently," by Mariah Stump, MA MPH, Carl Cappelleti, Lindsay Corse, Aaron Kinney, Suleiman Lapalme, Nolan Sandygren, Danielle Scribner, Molly Dugan, Jennifer Hunter, Margaret Holmes, Thomas V. Delaney, PhD, Patricia Berry, MPH and Jan K. Carney, MD MPH.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License

Nutrition and Social Eating Habits Among Seniors Living Independently
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