(P12-023-23) Perceived Supports and Barriers to Optimal Nutrition and Physical Activity in a Cohort of Vermont Older Adults

Objectives: To identify community resources and needs throughout Vermont that impact nutrition status and physical activity of older adults at all levels of the socio-ecological model.

Methods: A mixed-methods, community-based participatory research study was conducted from October to December 2021. Community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 and older and residing in Vermont year-round, were invited to participate. Five to twelve older adults participated in a total of five focus group based on geographical location in the state. Conversations were held over Zoom and led by a trained qualitative researcher. Topics included: barriers and supports to physical activity prior to and during COVID-19 lockdown; barriers and supports to healthy eating prior to and during COVID-19 lockdown. Participants also completed validated questions to determine fall, malnutrition, and food insecurity risk and answered demographic questions.

Results: Of the 52 participants (70 + 6.2 years; 39 [75%] female), 7 (13.5%) were food insecure, 28 (53.9%) were at risk for malnutrition, 28 (53.9%) were at risk for a fall, and 16 (30.8%) were at risk for both malnutrition and a fall. Barriers to both healthy eating and physical activity included access, cost, and transportation. Barriers associated with isolation and access increased during COVID-19 lockdown. Vermont has a plethora of community food programs that supported older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown, but getting information to those who need it is a barrier. Vermont’s rurality and access to the outdoors supported older adults’ ability to stay active during COVID-19 lockdown.

Conclusions: This community-based research study contributes to our understanding of perceived barriers and support systems to physical activity and healthy eating in the older Vermont population at all levels of the socio-ecological model. Given half of participants were at risk for malnutrition or a fall, addressing barriers to resources may improve older adults' ability to age in place. Further research on the impact of socio economic status and rurality on nutrition status and falls risk is warranted.

Funding Sources: Research reported in this project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.