Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the effect of a community-based nutrition education program on the dietary quality of the elderly with diet balance index (DBI). Methods Eighty-three volunteers from Zhujing Town of Jinshan District of Shanghai with age ≥60 years were served as study objectives, and a total of 70 people completed the program. They were given nutritional guidance bimonthly in combination with measures such as community publications, panel discussions and individual interviews. Measurements of dietary intakes, which lasted for 3 d, were performed before intervention and 12 months after intervention, respectively. Diet quality was evaluated with DBI scoring system, and the parameters were compared before and after intervention. Results There were significant differences in DBI-Total Score (DBI-TS), DBI-Lower Bound Score (DBI-LBS) and DBI-Diet Quality Distance (DBI-DQD) before and after intervention for these 70 people (P<0.05). The proportion of subjects with adequate milk and soy product consumption increased from 7.1% before intervention to 20.0% after intervention, that with proper amount of salt intake from 22.9% to 51.5%, and that with diverse diet from 20.0% to 49.9%. The major DBI pattern changed from pattern B (47.1%) and pattern E (34.3%) to pattern B (34.3%) and pattern A (32.9%). Conclusion The community-based nutrition education program for the elderly can improve the diet quality of the elderly.

Key words: nutrition education, dietary quality, diet balance index, elderly