Strengthening Healthy Aging Through Community-Based Nutrition Support
Led by: Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare Taiwan
Partner: Local governments, food service providers, registered dietitians, sports instructors, technology partners
Theme: Healthy Eating
📌 Overview
To tackle nutrition inequities and support healthy aging, Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration (HPA) launched a nationwide network of Community Nutrition Promotion Centers, empowering local governments to hire community dietitians and integrate nutrition with physical activity initiatives. The program was guided by the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT), which showed that only 30% of older adults met vegetable intake recommendations and just 17.8% met fruit intake targets.
These centers deliver nutrition education, dietary counseling, and elderly-friendly meals—including texture-modified foods for those with chewing or swallowing difficulties. In addition, HPA developed the Health Map platform to connect citizens with healthy meal options and introduced sports and digital technologies to promote active lifestyles and community engagement.
📈 Impacts
- 87 Community Nutrition Promotion Centers established nationwide since 2018.
- Over 600,000 older adults reached with nutrition education and elderly-friendly meal services
- 144 community dietitians employed and supported through national training.
- 10,000 community centers and food service providers received technical guidance.
- 500 professionals and 1,688 operational staff trained to prepare texture-modified meals.
- The National Culinary Competition for Senior Nutrition drew from 193 teams in 2024 to 268 teams in 2025, with 57 award-winning teams and a forthcoming cookbook featuring over 75 senior-friendly recipes.
- Integration of sports and digital technology encouraged older adults to maintain activity levels and prevent frailty.
💡 Why It Works
- Community-based and equitable: Reaches older adults facing mobility, oral health, or income barriers.
- Professional expertise: Community dietitians provide localized, culturally appropriate nutrition care.
- Cross-sector collaboration: Partnerships with food businesses and technology companies expand healthy food access.
- Evidence-driven: Continuous monitoring ensures programs remain effective and equitable.
🔗 For More Information
Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Platform: https://healthydiet.hpa.gov.tw/
Competition and Event Website: https://contest.bhuntr.com/tw/GDHealthy/home/
2024 Competition Achievement Report: https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/material/8801
📘 Want the full story?
Explore the complete case study — including implementation insights, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships — in the INHPF Healthy Eating Report Card 2025.
Related Success Cases
- Healthier Choice Logo – Thai Health Promotion Foundation
- Health and Wellbeing Queensland Physical Activity initiatives
- Victorian Health Promotion Foundation’s This Girl Can – Victoria
Image credit: Health Promotion Administration (HPA), Ministry of Health and Welfare Taiwan
Source: Content adapted from HPA
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