Nutrition Education for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases Among the Elderly at the Community Health Post

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disorders are increasingly prevalent among the elderly and are closely linked to unhealthy eating habits and poor nutritional knowledge. This community service program, titled “Nutrition Education for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases Among the Elderly at the Community Health Post,” aimed to improve the nutritional awareness and behavior of elderly participants through structured educational interventions. The program was conducted at a posyandu lansia and involved 30 elderly participants. The implementation consisted of three stages: preparation, execution, and evaluation. Educational activities included lectures, discussions, and cooking demonstrations using locally available food ingredients. The effectiveness of the program was measured using pre-test and post-test assessments of participants’ nutritional knowledge. The results showed a significant improvement, with the average score increasing from 53.3% to 88.7%, indicating a 35.4% enhancement in knowledge. Participants also showed higher enthusiasm and engagement during the sessions, demonstrating that participatory learning and practical approaches are effective for elderly education. In conclusion, this program successfully increased the understanding and awareness of balanced nutrition among the elderly, promoting healthier eating habits as a preventive measure against NCDs. The involvement of posyandu cadres and local health workers contributed to the sustainability of the program, highlighting the potential of community-based nutrition education as an effective public health strategy to support healthy aging.