A pilot study to assess the impact of nutritional intervention on the suboptimal health of caregiver-employees

Purpose To investigate the suboptimal health status and the impact of a nutritional intervention on caregivers-employees (CEs). Method The study was conducted in Hong Kong, which has a high employment rate and a high elderly dependency ratio, thereby placing a considerable burden of care on working individuals. Carers aged ≥18 with paid employment, literacy in either English or Chinese, and access to the Internet, currently providing care to at least one adult aged ≥65 with chronic conditions. A pre- and post-test research design was adopted to assess the impact of a dietary intervention (a two-month pilot program comprising nutritional assessments, individualized dietary advice, and follow-up sessions with registered dietitians) on the health status of CEs using the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire (SHSQ-25). Results Seventeen CEs, all females, participated in this pilot study. Although 70.6% of the participants thought they needed additional help to meet their work-caregiving responsibilities, only 47.06% had sought help. Fifteen participants (88.24%) had suboptimal health status based on the SHSQ-25 cutoff score of