Improving effectiveness of nutrition education resources for older adults

This article discusses published reports and studies from the past decade that focused primarily on using written or other tangible nutrition educational resources with older adults, such as brief "handouts," newsletters, brochures, booklets, curricular lessons, board games, audiotapes and videotapes. Studies of health professionals' needs and desires for such materials are also reviewed. Thirteen articles, of which four were theory-based, were found. They are summarized in tables that include details regarding the educational resource(s) used; a description of the subjects and controls, if any; the evaluation methods used; and results obtained. Ten practical suggestions are offered to help educators select or develop more effective printed, audiotape, videotape and other tangible nutrition education resources appropriate for older adults. Much research remains to be done in this area. This article is one of a series of literature reviews of topics related to nutrition education for older adults.