A Health Education Program to Increase Hope and Improve Energy Balance Among Seniors in the Urban Subarctic

项目摘要 在美国，老年人（60岁以上）的肥胖率有所增加，从2008年的31%上升到43%左右 2018年老年人是高风险人群，因为肥胖与发病率增加有关，包括 阿尔茨海默病和相关痴呆症（ADRD），早期死亡率，身体功能下降， 生活质量研究表明，在整个生命周期中，体重增加的主要驱动力是行为：久坐 行为加上过多的能量摄入，导致能量失衡。健康教育已经 改善老年人的饮食和身体活动行为，从而提高生活质量; 然而，老年人似乎很难维持这些变化。该项目使用了试点项目的初步数据， 项目：创建一个课程，使用基于资产的，积极的，基于健康的老龄化信息;创建严格的 项目评估措施;并通过大量参与改善UAA的研究环境 本科生在整个项目中。研究小组将通过以下方式实现这些总体目标： 以下具体目标：1）创建和提供一个创新的，积极的健康老龄化课程，包括 为阿拉斯加土著和其他少数民族老年人提供有说服力的希望信息， 成年人;和2）检查这种积极的健康老龄化计划对短期和长期健康的影响 结果，包括参与者和环境因素与程序的有效性的探索。 这项工作意义重大，因为它将填补有关适当的健康行为改变的知识空白 针对各种老年人的干预措施，这些老年人正在与消极的自我认知和健康差距作斗争，并测试 短期和长期的影响，有说服力的希望信息在这一人群。该项目将加强 在这个主要为本科生服务的机构的研究环境，通过创建一个基础设施， UAA健康老龄化研究实验室的工作。该项目将聚集老年人小组， 在COVID-19大流行期间，希望和健康的行为导致隔离增加， 老年人的抑郁症该项目将允许两名研究生和10名本科生进行研究 助理有助于计划的设计，数据的收集和分析，以及提出结果 通过共同撰写的期刊文章和会议报告。通过发展和提供健康教育， 计划使用基于资产的，有希望的信息的弹性和健康的老龄化，该项目将改善饮食 运动行为和能量平衡。影响包括确定促进积极看法的做法 老龄化和改善健康和生活质量的一个多样化的，有风险的人口。

Project Summary Obesity rates have increased among older (age 60+) adults in the U.S., from 31% in 2008 to approximately 43% in 2018. Older adults are a high-risk population because obesity is associated with increased morbidity, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), early mortality, and decreased physical functioning and quality of life. Studies show that the primary driver of weight gain across the lifespan is behavioral: sedentary behaviors coupled with excessive energy intake, resulting in energy imbalance. Health education has been shown to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors for older adults, resulting in increased quality of life; however, changes appear difficult for older adults to maintain. This project uses preliminary data from a pilot project to: create a curriculum using asset-based, positive, hope-based healthy aging messaging; create rigorous program evaluation measures; and improve the research environment at UAA by substantially involving undergraduate students throughout the project. The research team will address these overall goals with the following specific aims: 1) to create and deliver an innovative, positive healthy aging curriculum that includes persuasive hope messages of resilience for an underserved population of Alaska Native and other minority older adults; and 2) to examine the impact of this positive healthy aging program on short- and long-term health outcomes, including an exploration of participant and environmental factors associated with program efficacy. This work is significant because it will fill knowledge gaps regarding appropriate health behavior change interventions for diverse older adult struggling with negative self-perceptions and health disparities, and to test the short- and long-term impact of persuasive hope messaging in this population. The project will strengthen the research environment at this primarily undergraduate-serving institution by creating an infrastructure to expand the work of the UAA Healthy Aging Research Lab. This project will gather small groups of older adults to increase hope and healthy behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in increased isolation and depression among older adults. This project will allow two graduate students and 10 undergraduate research assistants to contribute to the design of the program, collection and analysis of data, as well as presenting results via co-authored journal articles and conference presentations. By developing and delivering a health education program using asset-based, hopeful messages of resilience and healthy aging, this project will improve dietary and exercise behaviors and energy balance. Impacts include identifying practices that foster positive perceptions of aging and improving health and quality of life of a diverse, at-risk population.