Researchers wanted to know if a special teaching program could help older adults live healthier lives. They split 90 older people into two groups: one group took eight weekly classes about healthy eating, exercise, and stress relief, while the other group received regular care. After four weeks, the people who took the classes had much better healthy lifestyle scores than the control group. The classes focused on helping people feel confident about making healthy changes and involved family members too. This study suggests that structured education programs can really help older adults adopt healthier habits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a structured educational program based on health promotion principles could help older adults make healthier lifestyle choices
  • Who participated: 90 older adults (45 in each group) who were randomly assigned to either receive eight weekly educational sessions or standard care
  • Key finding: The group that received the educational program improved their healthy lifestyle score by about 35% (from 139.56 to 188.46), while the control group’s score stayed nearly the same (142.40 to 142.62)
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult wanting to live healthier, structured classes that teach you about nutrition, exercise, and stress management—especially ones that include family—may significantly help you make lasting changes. However, this is one study, so talk with your doctor before starting any new health program.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly divided 90 older adults into two equal groups of 45 people each. One group attended eight weekly educational sessions (six sessions for the older adults and two sessions for their family members) based on a health promotion model that focuses on building confidence, understanding benefits and barriers, and getting family support. The other group received standard care without the special program. Both groups answered questions about their healthy lifestyle habits at the beginning and four weeks after the intervention ended.

The educational program covered six important areas: understanding what stops people from being healthy, recognizing the benefits of healthy choices, building confidence in their ability to change, enjoying physical activity, getting support from family and friends, and adapting to their life situation. This approach is based on a well-known health behavior model used in nursing and public health.

The researchers used a validated questionnaire (a tested survey tool) to measure healthy lifestyle across five areas: disease prevention, nutrition, physical activity and recreation, stress management, and social relationships. This means the measurement tool had been proven reliable in previous research.

This research approach is important because it tests whether education actually works in real-world conditions with older adults. By randomly assigning people to groups, the researchers could be more confident that any differences were due to the program, not other factors. Including family members in some sessions is particularly valuable because family support often influences whether older adults stick with healthy changes. Testing specific dimensions of healthy lifestyle (not just overall health) helps identify which areas improve most.

This study has several strengths: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard for testing interventions), it had equal-sized groups, it used a validated measurement tool, and it reported no harmful effects. However, the study was relatively short (only four weeks of follow-up), so we don’t know if improvements lasted longer. The sample size of 90 people is moderate—larger studies would provide stronger evidence. The study was conducted in Iran, so results may vary in different cultural settings. No information was provided about how many people dropped out or whether participants were blinded to group assignment.

What the Results Show

Before the program started, both groups had similar healthy lifestyle scores (the intervention group averaged 139.56 out of a possible score, and the control group averaged 142.40). This shows the groups were well-matched at the beginning.

After four weeks, the results were striking. The group that received the educational program increased their score to 188.46—an improvement of about 49 points. Meanwhile, the control group’s score barely changed, going from 142.40 to 142.62. The difference between groups was statistically significant, meaning it was very unlikely to have happened by chance.

When researchers looked at specific healthy lifestyle areas, the intervention group showed significant improvements in all five dimensions: disease prevention, nutrition, physical activity and recreation, stress management, and social relationships. The control group showed no meaningful changes in any of these areas.

Importantly, no participants reported any harmful effects or negative consequences from participating in the program, suggesting the intervention was safe.

The study found that improvements occurred across all measured dimensions of healthy lifestyle, not just one or two areas. This suggests the program had a broad positive effect rather than helping with only specific behaviors. The fact that family members participated in two of the eight sessions may have contributed to the success, as family support is known to influence health behavior change. The relatively quick improvement (within four weeks) suggests the program was engaging and motivating for participants.

This study aligns with existing research showing that educational interventions can improve health behaviors in older adults. Previous studies have shown that programs addressing self-efficacy (confidence in one’s ability to change) and family involvement tend to be more successful. However, many previous studies were smaller or less rigorous. This randomized controlled trial provides stronger evidence than many earlier studies. The use of Pender’s Health Promotion Model is well-established in nursing research, though this specific application to older adults in this cultural context adds new evidence.

The study only followed participants for four weeks after the intervention ended, so we don’t know if improvements lasted months or years. It’s unclear how long the benefits persist. The study was conducted in Iran, and results might differ in other countries with different healthcare systems and cultures. We don’t know how many people dropped out of the study or why. The study doesn’t explain how the program compared to other types of health education. It’s also unclear whether the improvements were due to the specific content of the program or simply from getting attention and support. The study doesn’t provide information about the instructors’ training or consistency.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, structured educational programs that teach older adults about healthy eating, exercise, stress management, and disease prevention—especially programs that include family members—appear to be effective (moderate confidence level). These programs seem most helpful when they focus on building confidence and addressing specific barriers to healthy living. However, this is one study with a short follow-up period, so more research is needed. Before starting any new health program, consult with your doctor, especially if you have existing health conditions.

This research is most relevant for older adults (typically 65+) who want to improve their health habits, their family members who support them, healthcare providers working with older populations, and community health programs serving seniors. It may be less relevant for younger adults or those with severe cognitive impairment who couldn’t participate in educational sessions. People with certain medical conditions should get doctor approval before making major lifestyle changes.

Based on this study, you might expect to see improvements in healthy lifestyle behaviors within 4 weeks of starting a structured program. However, the study didn’t measure longer-term changes, so it’s unclear how long benefits last. Most health behavior experts suggest that real, lasting change takes 8-12 weeks or longer. You should plan to continue the program and reinforce new habits over several months to see sustained benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track five specific healthy lifestyle areas weekly: (1) preventive health actions (doctor visits, screenings), (2) nutrition choices (servings of fruits/vegetables daily), (3) physical activity minutes per week, (4) stress management practices (meditation, relaxation time), and (5) social interactions (time with family/friends). Use a simple 1-10 score for each area weekly to mirror the study’s measurement approach.
  • Use the app to set up a weekly reminder for one specific healthy habit from each category. For example: Monday—schedule a preventive health task, Tuesday—plan one nutritious meal, Wednesday—schedule 30 minutes of activity, Thursday—practice one stress-relief technique, Friday—plan social time. Start with one habit per category and gradually add more as they become routine.
  • Create a simple dashboard showing your five healthy lifestyle scores over time. Set a goal to improve by 5-10 points per month in each category. Review your progress every two weeks and adjust your goals based on what’s working. Share your progress with a family member or friend for accountability, since the study showed family involvement improved results.

This research suggests that structured educational programs may help older adults adopt healthier lifestyles, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before making significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or health habits, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have physical limitations. This study was conducted over four weeks, so long-term benefits are unknown. Results may vary based on individual circumstances, cultural factors, and baseline health status. Always seek personalized medical guidance before starting any new health program.