The Elderly Knowledge Improvement of Balanced Nutrition in Patangpuluhan, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Background Elderly is a vulnerable group to body function impairment and diseases. Although these conditions are considered a normal result of the aging process, the elderly's health level should be maintained. The application of balanced diet principles is one of the ways to reduce the risk and improves the health quality of the elderly. In this regard, the education program about balanced diet principles to enhance the group's knowledge is essential to support a healthier lifestyle for the elderly.Objective. This education program aimed to improve the elderly group's knowledge in this area of balanced nutrition to maintain the elderly health state. Results. There were 30 participants, with majority of the participants was women (90%). The results of pre and post-test show that there was 17 points increment in participants' knowledge (21%) compared to the pre-test score. Question topics that got the two highest score improvements were the duration of psychical activity and the purine-contains food groups (21,7 points). Conclusion This education program could raise elderly knowledge of balanced nutrition and this kind of program is recommended to be applied on a regular basis based on the elderly need for health and nutrition-related information. The male elderly also has to be encouraged to actively involves in the community-based education to improve their knowledge of elderly health.