Researchers created a board game called ‘Stable Sugar Winner’ to teach older adults how to eat healthier and prevent diabetes. Forty-nine older adults played the game once a week for four weeks, learning about different types of food, how quickly foods affect blood sugar, and healthy eating patterns. After playing, the participants knew much more about healthy eating, felt better about making healthy choices, and believed they could actually stick to a healthy diet. This fun, game-based approach shows promise as a way to help older people stay healthy and avoid diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether playing a board game about healthy eating could help older adults learn better nutrition habits and feel more confident about preventing diabetes
  • Who participated: 49 older adults living in their own homes who attended community activity centers. They were divided into groups, with some playing the game and others not playing it.
  • Key finding: After four weeks of playing the game once a week, older adults showed significant improvements in their knowledge about healthy eating, their attitudes toward healthy food choices, and their confidence in their ability to eat healthily to prevent diabetes
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult worried about diabetes, playing educational games about food might be an enjoyable way to learn healthy eating habits. However, this is just one small study, so talk to your doctor before making major diet changes.

The Research Details

This study used a quasi-experimental design, which means researchers compared two groups of older adults—one group that played the ‘Stable Sugar Winner’ board game and another group that didn’t. The game was played once a week for 90 minutes over four weeks. Each week had a different theme: Week 1 focused on types of food and building a healthy plate, Week 2 covered how quickly different foods affect blood sugar levels, Week 3 discussed calories and healthy portions, and Week 4 brought everything together into a complete healthy eating pattern.

Before and after the four-week program, all participants answered questions and completed surveys to measure three things: how much they knew about healthy eating, how they felt about making healthy food choices, and how confident they felt about being able to stick to a healthy diet. The researchers then compared the scores of the group that played the game with the group that didn’t.

This approach is important because it tests whether making health education fun and interactive through a game works better than traditional teaching methods. Games can make learning enjoyable, which might help older adults remember information better and actually use what they learned in their daily lives. This matters especially for older adults, who may have less interest in traditional health classes but might enjoy social activities like board games.

This study has some strengths: it measured three important outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, and confidence), used a structured four-week program with clear weekly topics, and involved real community-dwelling older adults. However, there are limitations to consider: the sample size is relatively small (49 people), and the study doesn’t tell us how long the benefits lasted after the game program ended. We also don’t know if the improvements actually led to people eating healthier in real life or if they prevented diabetes.

What the Results Show

After completing the four-week board game program, older adults showed significantly higher scores in all three measured areas compared to their starting point. Their knowledge about healthy eating and diabetes prevention increased noticeably. Their attitudes toward making healthy food choices became more positive. Most importantly, their confidence in their ability to actually follow a healthy diet to prevent diabetes improved significantly.

These improvements suggest that the game-based learning approach successfully taught older adults about nutrition and helped them feel more capable of making healthy choices. The fact that all three measures improved together suggests the program had a comprehensive effect on how people think about and approach healthy eating.

The study structured the learning progressively, starting with basic food types and building toward complete healthy eating patterns. This step-by-step approach appeared to work well, as participants engaged with the material over four weeks rather than receiving all information at once. The social aspect of playing a board game in a group setting may have also contributed to the positive results, as older adults could discuss food choices and learn from each other.

Traditional health education programs for older adults often use lectures or printed materials, which can be less engaging. This board game approach is more interactive and enjoyable, which aligns with research showing that people learn better when they’re having fun. While other studies have shown that interactive health programs work well, this is one of the first to specifically test a board game format for diabetes prevention in older adults.

The study has several important limitations. First, it’s relatively small with only 49 participants, so results may not apply to all older adults. Second, the study only measured knowledge, attitudes, and confidence—it didn’t track whether people actually changed their eating habits or whether anyone actually prevented diabetes. Third, we don’t know if the benefits lasted after the program ended or if people continued making healthy choices months later. Finally, the study doesn’t provide details about the comparison group, making it harder to understand how much the game itself contributed to the improvements.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an older adult interested in learning about healthy eating to prevent diabetes, a board game-based program like this appears to be a promising and enjoyable option (moderate confidence level). The program seems effective at increasing knowledge and confidence about healthy eating. However, this should complement, not replace, advice from your doctor or a registered dietitian. Consider trying this type of program if your community offers it, especially if you enjoy social activities and games.

This research is most relevant for older adults who want to prevent diabetes or manage their risk, especially those who prefer interactive learning over traditional classes. It may be particularly helpful for people who enjoy games and social activities. People who already have diabetes should consult their healthcare provider before starting any new eating program. Younger adults might benefit from similar approaches, but this study specifically tested older adults.

Based on this study, you might notice improvements in your knowledge and confidence within the four-week program period. However, the real test is whether you can maintain healthy eating habits long-term. Most people see the biggest benefits when they continue applying what they learned for several months. Don’t expect to prevent diabetes overnight—healthy eating is a long-term commitment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly food choices using a simple checklist: Did you eat vegetables at lunch? Did you check portion sizes? Did you choose lower-sugar options? Rate your confidence in making healthy choices on a scale of 1-10 each week to see if it improves like it did in the study.
  • Use the app to set weekly healthy eating goals based on the game’s themes: Week 1 - identify healthy foods, Week 2 - choose lower glycemic index foods, Week 3 - practice portion control, Week 4 - plan a complete healthy day of eating. Log what you actually eat and compare it to your goals.
  • Create a long-term tracking system that measures the same three things the study measured: (1) Your nutrition knowledge—take a short quiz monthly, (2) Your attitude toward healthy eating—rate how positive you feel about it weekly, (3) Your confidence—score yourself on ‘I can stick to healthy eating’ monthly. Watch these three scores improve over time as you apply what you learn.

This research describes a promising educational approach, but it is not medical advice. The study measured knowledge and confidence, not actual diabetes prevention or health outcomes. Before making significant changes to your diet or starting any diabetes prevention program, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have a family history of diabetes. Results from this small study may not apply to everyone. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall health, and lifestyle factors beyond diet alone.