Teaching Kitchens Intervention for Older Adults in a Senior Center in New England

May 19, 2026 updated by: Tufts University

A Pilot Teaching Kitchens Intervention Protocol to Improve the Dietary Quality of Congregate Meals for Older Adults

This study will evaluate a culinary nutrition intervention designed to improve the quality of meals served to older adults participating in a senior center. Many meals currently provided in these settings do not meet recommended dietary guidelines, which negatively impact health outcomes among older adults. In this pilot study, participants will receive improved lunch meals that are designed to be more nutritious, culturally appropriate, and acceptable, along with nutrition education sessions over a 6-month period. This intervention will also include training for food service staff to support implementation of the improved meals. The study will assess changes in dietary quality, physical health measures, and social and behavioral outcomes among participants at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Findings from this study will help determine the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach and inform future efforts to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Congregate Meal Program for older adults.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

Congregate meal programs within senior centers serve a large population of older adults in the United States, yet many meals provided in these settings do not meet recommended dietary guidelines particularly for whole grains, micronutrients, sodium, and saturated fat. Poor dietary quality in this population may contribute to increased risk of chronic diseases, reduced physical function, and lower overall well-being. This study is a Phase III pilot feasibility study designed to evaluate a culinary nutrition intervention implemented in a senior meal center serving older adults. The intervention is based on a Teaching Kitchens model and includes three core components: (1) development and implementation of a nutritionally improved lunch menu, (2) training of food service staff to prepare healthier and culturally appropriate meals, and (3) delivery of nutrition education sessions to meal recipients. The intervention will be conducted over a 6-month period. Participants will receive reformulated lunch meals designed to improve dietary quality, alongside structured nutrition education sessions aimed at increasing nutritional literacy, supporting healthy food choices, and promoting engagement in the meal program. The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated by measuring changes in dietary quality, physical health indicators, and psychosocial outcomes at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Outcomes will include dietary intake, anthropometric measures (e.g., body weight, hip-to-waist circumference, height), blood pressure, food security, and measures of social engagement and well-being. This study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a scalable culinary nutrition intervention tailored to older adults in Congregate meal settings. Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of larger-scale interventions and may contribute to improving nutrition and health outcomes for older adults in similar programs.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The participants for this study are senior center members either of the current lunch program or other programming events at "The Senior Center" in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 50 years or older
  2. Regularly visits the Senior Center either for lunch meals or other center-based programming
  3. Willing and able to participate in a 6-month intervention, which includes consistent involvement in the lunch program
  4. Willing and able to participate in multiple focus group discussions centered around meal preferences, health perceptions, and dietary habits (full study participation is 7 months)
  5. Capable of providing informed consent and completing an eligibility screening

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. History of moderate to severe neurological condition(s) that may impact cognitive ability (e.g., dementia, major stroke)
  2. Known severe food allergies that may interfere with participation. (with study MD approval, participants with mild allergies or intolerances may be included and notified not to consume any known allergens)
  3. Recent changes in health status that affect the ability to assess foods (e.g., altered appetite, smell, vision, hearing, and/or taste)
  4. Any disorder, unwillingness, or inability, not covered by any of the other exclusion criteria, which, in either the investigator's or study MD's opinion, might jeopardize the subject's compliance with the protocol. This includes impaired vision requiring assistance or aid from another person, impaired smell, or impaired taste perception. Given the number of written surveys and visual support materials, the study would place a large burden on participation for individuals with visual impairment requiring assistance.
  5. Individuals who have a cognitive, sensory, or physical impairment that prevents them from understanding the consent information or completing the required consent documentation will be excluded from participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Senior Center Meal Recipients
Adults aged 50+ who regularly attend The Senior Center in Glastonbury, CT and participate in the 6-month culinary nutrition intervention, including redesigned lunch meals, nutrition education sessions, focus groups, and dietary/health assessments.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mean change from baseline to 6 months in dietary quality among meal recipients
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change from baseline to 6 months in dietary quality among meal recipients will be measured using the healthy eating index (HEI) and individual components of the HEI.
Baseline to 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Satisfaction in meal program from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The satisfaction in meal program will be measured using the meal program satisfaction questionnaire from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean meal consumption scores from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Weeks 3 and 7 of meal implementation
The mean meal consumption scores will be measured through visual assessment of food discarded during weeks 3 and 7 using the official plate waste analysis guide.
Weeks 3 and 7 of meal implementation
Mean change in nutrition literacy from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in nutrition literacy will be assessed using a nutritional literacy survey for older adults from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in blood pressure from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) will be assessed using an automated sphygmomanometer.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in body weight from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: baseline to 6 months
The mean change in body weight will be assessed using a digital scale from baseline to 6 months.
baseline to 6 months
Mean change in waist circumference from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in waist circumference using a tape measure will be assessed from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in hip circumference from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in hip circumference using a tape measure will be assessed from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in waist-to-hip circumference ratio from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in waist-to-hip circumference ratio will be mathematically calculated from the hip and waist measurements.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in height from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in height will be assessed using a stadiometer from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in body mass index (BMI) from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in body mass index will be mathematically calculated from the body weight and height measurements from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in Food and Nutrition Insecurity from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in food and nutrition insecurity will be measured through validated questionnaires (e.g., US Household Food Security Survey Module) from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean Change in Loneliness and Socialization Measures from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in loneliness and socialization measures using validated questionnaires (e.g., Socialization questionnaire) from baseline to 6 months.
Baseline to 6 months
Mean change in frequency of meal participation and participation in other activities at the Senior Center from baseline to 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
The mean change in frequency of meal participation and participation in other activities at the Senior Center will be assessed using the current Senior Center's attendance log.
Baseline to 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Tufts University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Andres V Ardisson Korat, ScD, Tuft's University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 19, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00007007
  • 58-8050-3-003 (Other Grant/Funding Number: USDA Cooperative Agreement)
  • PT0445 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Danone Institute of North America)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Participant privacy given the small sample size (n=30)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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