Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a structured multimodal behavioral intervention to change dietary behaviors, as well as self-efficacy and social support for engaging in healthier diets.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to assign sites into intervention and comparison groups. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The intervention group participated in Texercise Select, a 12-week lifestyle enhancement program. Multiple mixed-effects models were used to examine nutrition-related changes over time.
Results: For the intervention group, significant improvements were observed for fast food consumption (P = .011), fruit/vegetable consumption (P = .008), water consumption (P = .009), and social support (P < .001) from baseline to 3 months. The magnitude of these improvements was significantly greater than changes in the comparison group.
Conclusions and implications: Findings suggest the intervention's ability to improve diet-related outcomes among older adults; however, additional efforts are needed to maintain changes over longer periods.
Keywords: evidence-based program; healthy diet; intervention; lifestyle; program evaluation.
Copyright © 2019 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.