OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based postal and telephone physical activity and nutrition pilot program for seniors. METHODS: The program was delivered by mailed material and telephone calls. The main intervention consisted of a booklet tailored for seniors containing information on dietary guidelines, recommended physical activity levels, and goal setting. Dietary and walking activity outcomes were collected via a self-administered postal questionnaire pre- and postintervention and analysed using linear mixed regressions. Of the 270 seniors recruited, half were randomly selected for the program while others served as the control group. RESULTS: The program elicited favourable responses. Postintervention walking for exercise/recreation showed an average gain of 27 minutes per week for the participants in contrast to an average drop of 5 minutes for the controls (p < 0.01). Little change was evident in errand walking for both groups. The intervention group (n = 114) demonstrated a significant increase in fibre intake (p < 0.01) but no reduction in fat intake (p > 0.05) compared to controls (n = 134). CONCLUSIONS: The participants became more aware of their health and wellbeing after the pilot program, which was successful in increasing time spent walking for recreation and improving fibre intake.

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