P156 Current State of Utilization of Theory Based, Behaviorally Focused Nutrition Education in Congregate and Home Delivered Meal Sites and Factors Contributing to its Use

By 2030, nearly 21% of the population will consist of older adults, 65 years and older, making adequate nutrition essential for health and quality of life. Congregate and home-delivered meal programs are an ideal setting to provide nutrition education for older adults that can promote successful aging.To determine if nutrition educators working at congregate and home delivered meal sites were conducting theory-based and behaviorally focused nutrition education (TB-BF-NE) and whether dietetic professionals differ from non-dietetic professionals in their degree of conducting TB-BF-NE. Additionally, this study determined what educator factors influenced the degree to which TB-BF-NE was used.This cross-sectional study involved a national online survey for nutrition educators working with congregate and home-delivered meal programs. The questions that asked about TB-BF-NE had four scales related to the degree to which they: enhanced motivation, facilitated action, created supportive environments, and considered delivery methods. Participants were recruited via multiple listservs and a variety of agencies and organizations. Forty five states in the U.S. (n = 211) were represented.Independent t-tests compared dietetic professionals (n = 102) versus non-dietetic professionals (n = 109) for each TB-BF-NE scale and total score. Multiple linear regression analysis determined if educator factors explained the variance in TB-BF-NE score.Dietetic professionals scored higher than non-dietetic professionals on all TB-BF-NE scales and total score (all P < .01). The regression analysis showed that five educator factors predicted higher TB-BF-NE score (R2 = .518, P < .001). These factors were teaching more topics (P < .001), smaller group size (P = .001), longer sessions (P = .001), conducting more evaluation (P < .001), and longer period of time since receiving their credentials (P < .05).For non-dietetic professionals, more training on TB-BF-NE—what it is, why it matters, and how to incorporate it into nutrition lessons—is needed. Additionally, having smaller groups, longer sessions, and conducting evaluation support TB-BF-NE and should be encouraged.None.