Researcher(s)
- Qiulin Chen, Health Behavior Science, University of Delaware
- Fatou Marong, Health Behavior Science, University of Delaware
- Nick Ragan, Health Behavior Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, Health Behavior & Nutrition Science, University of Delaware
- Tara Leonard, Health Behavior & Nutrition Science, University of Delaware
Abstract
Recent estimates indicate that 22% of the United States population will be people 60 years of age or older by 2050 (World Health Organization (WHO), 2017; Administration on Aging (AOA), 2020). WHO notes that healthy aging is “a process that enables older people to continue to do the things that are important to them” and “is achievable by every older person” (WHO, 2017). Efforts should continue to be focused on the promotion of health and wellness in older adults to help each person continue to do the things that are important to them. ANEW-Gold (Aligning Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellbeing) is a 12-week group health coaching program with 19 participants ages 66-87. The aim of the program is to help older adults improve their health in the dimensions of nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being by utilizing group health coaching principles. An analysis will be conducted between pre- and post-assessments. We assessed healthy eating and physical activity change, level of happiness, life balance, social and emotional wellness, and quality of life before and at the end of the program. This project has the potential to show the importance of health promotion in the older adult population, along with the benefits of group health coaching. From this project, we learned how to structure and deliver a community health program and the importance of health coaching skills in the healthcare field. We gathered deeper insight on the needs of the older adult population, and how to create a comfortable space for participants to share personal challenges and successes and foster a safe learning environment. In the future, we hope to take the insight from this program and apply it to other areas of our academic careers and a wider range of populations.