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Journal of Applied Gerontology, Vol. 27, No. 2, 201-214 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0733464807309188

What Is the Optimal Duration of Participation in a Community-Based Health Promotion Program for Older Adults?

Sally Sizer Fitts

University of Washington, Seattle

Chang Won Won

Kyung Hee University

Barbara Williams

University of Washington, Seattle

Susan J. Snyder

Project Enhance, Senior Services, Seattle

Michi Yukawa

University of Washington, Seattle

Victor J. Legner

University of Washington, Seattle

James P. LoGerfo

University of Washington, Seattle

Elizabeth A. Phelan

University of Washington, Seattle

Optimizing duration of participation in health promotion programs has important implications for program reach and costs. We examine data from 355 participants in EnhanceWellness to determine whether improvements in disability risk factors (depression, physical inactivity) occurred early or late in the enrollment period. Participants had a mean age of 74 years; 76% were women, and 16% were non-White. The percentage depressed declined from enrollment to 6 months (35% to 28%, p = .001) and from 6 to 12 months (28% to 22%, p = .03). The percentage physically inactive declined over the first 6 months, without substantial change thereafter (47%, 29%, and 29%). Those remaining inactive at 6 months had worse self-rated health and more depressive symptoms initially; a subset of those increased their physical activity by 12 months. These data suggest that enrollment could be reduced from 12 to 6 months without compromising favorable effects of EW participation, although additional benefits may accrue beyond 6 months.

Key Words: aging • health promotion • health status • physical activity • depression


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