Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The authors did not state any inclusion criteria relating to the study design. Both controlled and uncontrolled studies were among those selected for the review.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies evaluating group classes that included and described nutrition education as a substantial component were eligible for inclusion. The classes had to be offered as a series of sessions. The specific intervention strategies included lectures/discussions, videotapes, recipes, exercise, goal-setting, take-home activities, handouts, food/cooking demonstrations, taste testing and written personal plans. Three studies explicitly indicated that elements of a stated behavioral change theory had been incorporated into the intervention. The theories and models used were Health Belief, Social Action, Social Learning, Socio-Ecological and Transtheoretical (Stages of Change). The classes ranged from 8 to 24 weeks in duration.
Participants included in the review
Studies reporting separately on adults aged at least 50 years living independently in the USA were eligible for inclusion. Where reported, the included participants were aged from 55 to 91 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The authors did not state any inclusion criteria relating to the outcomes. The included studies measured a variety of outcomes relating to knowledge, attitudes or beliefs, behaviours and physiologic measures.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.