2.11. Data Management and Statistical Analysis
depression
SECONDARY, CHRONIC DISEASES
Answers to the questions were recorded by ballpoint pen on the questionnaire, which were later recognized by an optical mark recognition system (Alldala Global Service Co., Ltd., Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan). Raw data were carefully cleaned before analysis. For dietary data, the average total energy intakes and the number of servings from each of the six food groups were estimated; they were further adjusted to the 1500 Kcal level by the density method [The homogeneity of the clusters was examined for multiple baseline characteristic variables. There were no statistical differences found for age, frailty status, and self-reported chronic diseases. Modest differences were observed for male proportion, education level, and caloric intake.The frailty component score (0 to 5), frailty status (0 was robust, 1 was prefrail, and 2 was frail), and dietary intakes were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes included working memory and geriatric depression. The intention-to-treat principle was applied to replace all post-intervention missing values with their baseline data. Baseline characteristics were compared between the control and the experimental group using the Student’s For stage-of-change results, participants in the experimental group were classified into subgroups according to their status shift in the healthy dietary behavioral stages, including the improved, maintained, and deteriorated subgroups. Those who improved in their stages of behavior change and those who remained at the stage of either action or maintenance were all classified in the “improved or maintained at advanced stages” subgroup. Those who moved their stages of behavior change back to a former stage and those who remained at the stage of pre-contemplation, contemplation, or preparation were classified in the “deteriorated or maintained at early stages” subgroup. The dietary intakes and health parameters were compared between these two groups; no such data were available for the control group for analysis.