(P22-005-23) Fostering Intergenerational Communication About Nutrition via Social Media: Study Protocol for a Private Facebook Group From the Socially Nutritious Pilot Study

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine if participation in a Facebook® (FB) group associated with an online nutrition education program for older adults enhances intergenerational communication and reduces ageism. This presentation reports the protocol for the FB Group, as well as methods to encourage engagement.

Methods: Socially Nutritious is an innovative nutrition education program for older adults that aims to decrease food insecurity, risk of malnutrition, and loneliness through a “virtual social supper club.” The primary study is a mixed methods design, with a pre-/post-test to determine changes in the above outcomes, as well as thematic analysis of open-ended questions on the post-test to expand understanding of the results. Participants attend seven (7) weekly sessions facilitated by nutrition graduate students via Zoom. They are paired with “Nutrition Ambassadors,” undergraduate or high school students who call participants each week to assist with achieving weekly goals, provide technical assistance, and connect participants to local resources. Participants, facilitators, and nutrition ambassadors are invited to join a private FB group to continue the conversation after each session. The link to the FB group is sent via email to participants and posted in a Zoom Chat message during sessions. Group administrators approve membership to the group. Facilitators create posts that support weekly topics and encourage engagement, such as responding to a question. Evaluation of FB group participation will include quantifying number of “likes” and “comments” by participant, developing a scale to characterize “high engagement” vs. “low engagement,” and thematic analysis of open-ended questions related to participation in the FB group and intergenerational communication included in the post-assessment.

Results: Preliminary analyses of FB group activity during the ongoing pilot study indicate a need to model engagement for participants, as well as continuing to encourage engagement during weekly Zoom sessions.

Conclusions: While best practices for virtual education programs include supplemental forums, such as a FB group, enhanced supports may be required to help older adults increase their confidence to engage in a FB group environment.

Funding Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living