Community Dining, Walking, and Glucose in Older Adults

This study will examine whether eating lunch and dinner at a subsidized community dining site affects postmeal walking and blood glucose patterns in older adults. Participants will be community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 79 years who are eligible for a local elderly meal subsidy and have prediabetes or elevated blood glucose risk.

Each participant will complete two 6-day meal conditions in random order. In one condition, participants will eat lunch and dinner at home. In the other condition, participants will eat lunch and dinner at a subsidized community dining site. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor and an activity tracker so the study team can measure postmeal glucose levels, daily glucose patterns, and steps after meals.

The study will compare community dining with home eating to determine whether community dining increases postmeal walking, improves postmeal glucose responses, and affects loneliness and meal experience.