Effect of a nutrition supplement and physical activity program on pneumonia and walking capacity in Chilean older people: a factorial cluster randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ageing is associated with increased risk of poor health and functional decline. Uncertainties about the health-related benefits of nutrition and physical activity for older people have precluded their widespread implementation. We investigated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a national nutritional supplementation program and/or a physical activity intervention among older people in Chile.

Methods and findings

We conducted a cluster randomized factorial trial among low to middle socioeconomic status adults aged 65-67.9 years living in Santiago, Chile. We randomized 28 clusters (health centers) into the study and recruited 2,799 individuals in 2005 (~100 per cluster). The interventions were a daily micronutrient-rich nutritional supplement, or two 1-hour

SUBMITTER: Dangour AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3079648 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature