Eat Smart, Live Strong is an intervention designed by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among 60-74 year olds participating in or eligible for its nutrition assistance programs. The Activity Kit for Eat Smart, Live Strong includes a Leader's Guide to assist in delivering and promoting the intervention, four interactive session guides to reinforce key behaviors, and participant handouts.
- Evaluated
- Pilot Tested
The four sessions in the kit promote specific eating and physical activity behaviors to improve health and well-being. Each session in Eat Smart, Live Strong encourages achievement by allowing participants to practice both nutrition and exercise activities.
All of the sessions and handouts are designed to help older adults adopt two key behaviors:
- Eat at least 3 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day (1 1/2 cups of fruits and 2 cups of vegetables).
- Participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
- The initiative addresses the unique learning needs of older adults and provides games and activities, opportunities to socialize, and simple exercises to demonstrate physical activity.
Session activities include assessing current participant behaviors; setting goals to help older adults achieve desired outcomes; identifying solutions to common eating and physical activity barriers among older adults; adding fruits and vegetables to classic foods to make change more familiar; and increasing awareness about low cost foods and nutrition assistance programs that will help older adults commit to the key behaviors. The sessions also encourage providers and participants to draw from resources in their communities to support participants' goals.