Program participation at seniors centers

The programs offered in multipurpose seniors centers can vary widely, providing a range of health, nutrition, physical, social and intellectual activities, points out background in a new study.

Most senior center visitors are women, mid-70s or older, with lower education and income and a higher interest in social involvement. A health problem facing the aging population is overweight or obesity. The investigator sought to answer the question: Does body mass index (BMI) affect seniors center program choices?

To find out, 740 program participants at 21 multipurpose seniors centers were interviewed by staff members. Respondents were 84.1% women, ages 65 to 89, representing white (63.6%), black (19.6%) and Hispanic (12.8%) heritage. Nearly half lived alone. Using the BMI formula, 37.4% were overweight and 29.2% obese.

Most (95%) participated in programs one to 3 or more times per week. A primary service was the nutritious meals program. The majority (90.5%) ate weekly at the center, and 68.5% ate there 3 or more times per week. Many (85.6%) reported that they ate at the center for the opportunity to socialize as much as for the meals.

Other programs they participated in included cards and table games (62.2%), field trips (61.9%), health assessment (55.4%), physical fitness (51.6%), and computer access and computer classes (20.5%). Being overweight or obese was significantly associated with a lower rate of participation in physical exercise, but not with any other program. BMI was not associated with participation in the meals program.

The author concluded that "senior centers should take the lead in partnering with community healthcare professionals in the creation of more progressive programs intended to impact the overweight and obese in senior centers. Knowledgeable healthcare professionals should offer to help centers construct needed programs that enhance health and promote independent living for community-dwelling older adults."