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.

This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH / National Institute on Aging (NIH) with an R15 research grant. The intervention has just concluded and the team is currently working on data analysis, conference & community presentations, and journal articles. Stay tuned!