Using a Focus Group Approach to Determine Older Adults' Opinions and Attitudes Toward a Nutrition Education Program

In order to determine older adults' (60+ years) attitudes and opinions toward a nutrition education program, six 45-minute focus groups were conducted. Twenty-eight congregate meal site participants in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in the focus group discussions. Questions addressed opinions toward nutrition education, reasons for participating, outcomes following the program, and suggestions for future programs. Participants generally responded positively toward nutrition education, but viewed foods as "good" or "bad," and nutrition guidelines as "rules" or "orders." A predominant theme to surface was that these older adults were interested in receiving disease specific nutrition information, including handouts and goal setting activities.