Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and demonstrated that older adults who play two times a week for 10-weeks significantly reduce the fear of falling, increase levels of physical activity, and decrease feelings of social isolation. Because Bingocize® contributes to overall health and well-being and has a proven following in 49 states and multiple countries, FCS Extension renewed 25 county licenses for 2024-2026. Nine new agents were trained. Sixteen agents were recertified.

To help participants learn and use health information focused on behavior related to nutrition, the FCS Agent in Woodford County taught Bingocize® to 3-10 participants twice a week for 10- weeks at the Woodford County Library Midway Branch. Of these participants, four completed a pre- and post-unit evaluation. Four completed 80% of the sessions.   

Prior to the program, four participants reported that their health was excellent, very good or good. After the program, all four reported very good or excellent health.   

Prior to the program, no participants reported that they had felt “a little sad, down or uninterested’ in life to “severely sad, down, or uninterested in life”. After the program, no participants reported feeling this way.  Prior to the program, no participants reported not having the social support system they felt they needed. After the 10-week program, one participant reported feeling this way.

One participant reported falling in the last three months.  

Prior to the program, four participants were a little to very fearful of falling and one reported that their fear interfered with social activities. After the program, three participants reported fear of falling and two reported that their fear interfered with social activities. 

Since the time the program began, no participants reported a fall. 

Prior to the program, no participants reported seldom activity; three reported moderate activity, at least 3 times per week; and one reported vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times per week. After the program, no participants reported seldom activity; two reported moderate activity at least 3 times per week; and two reported vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times per week. 

Four participants were Black and six were White. They ranged in age from 59 to 88. Nine were female. Two participants live alone and six completed 12-16 years of school.  

As a result of this program, four participants feel more comfortable talking to health care providers about medications and other fall risk factors. Three feel more comfortable talking to family and friends about falling. Four report feeling more comfortable increasing activity. Four participants report feeling more satisfied with their life and would recommend this program to a friend or relative.

Six-Months Post-Program Evaluation

Four of the original ten participants completed a Bingocize: Nutrition Post-Assessment.

Three participants said that they have often or always eaten vegetables three or more times each day during the past month. One said sometimes.

During the past month, one participant always ate fruits two or more times a day, one said often, one said sometimes and one said rarely.

Two of these participants said that they eat more than one kind of fruit each day sometimes. One said often and one said rarely.

Over the past month, two participants said that they typically drink 2% fat milk. One said whole milk. One said non-dairy milk such as soy milk, almond milk, rice milk or coconut milk.

In the past week, 50% of participants said that they did activities to build and strengthen muscles 3 days a week, and 50% said 2 days a week. This might include things like lifting weights, doing push-ups, sit-ups or planks.

During the past week, one participant was physically active for at least 15-30 minutes total for two days. Two were physically active for at least 15-30 minutes total for at least 3 days. One was physically active for at least 15-20 minutes total all seven days of the past week. This includes things like jogging, playing soccer and doing fitness or dance classes, exercise videos, brisk walks to work, moderate gardening such as weeding/hoeing and climbing stairs. This could have been done all at once or 10 minutes or more at a time (does not include housework, taking care of children, etc.).

50% of participants that answered the survey rarely (about 20% of the time) make small changes on purpose to try to move more and 50% sometimes (about 40% of the time)do so. This includes things like walking instead of driving, getting off the bus one stop early, doing a few minutes of exercise or moving around instead of sitting while watching TV.

Over the past month, one participant reported drinking a can, bottle or glass of regular soda or pop, sports drink or energy drink once a day. Two participants reported drinking one once a week. One participant reported not drinking any of these beverages. This excludes diet or zero calorie drinks.

50% of participants reported using the "nutrition facts" on food labels sometimes during the past month. 50% reported using the "nutrition facts" on food labels never during the past month.

All participants reported never worrying that their food might run out before they had money to buy more this past month.

75% of participants sometimes compared prices before buying food over the past month. 25% never compared food prices before buying.

50% of participants always used a list this month when grocery shopping. 25% often used a list when grocery shopping this month. 25% never used a list when grocery shopping this month.

During the past month, when eating grain products like bread, pasta, rice, etc. one participant said that they always choose whole grain products. One participant said that they often choose whole grain products. One participant said that they sometimes choose whole grain products. One participant said that they rarely choose whole grain products.

Over the past month, 25% of participants said that they always choose low-sodium options when buying easy-to-prepare, packaged foods like canned soups or vegetables, pre-packaged rice, frozen meals, etc.  50% of participants said that they sometimes choose low-sodium options. 25% said that they rarely choose low-sodium options.

This past month, when buying meat or protein foods, 25% said that they always chose lean meat or low-fat proteins like poultry or seafood (not fried), 90% or above ground beef, or beans. 50% said that they often choose lean mean or low-fat proteins. 25% said that they rarely choose lean meat or low-fat proteins.

75% of participants often planned meals ahead of time this month. 25% sometimes planned meals ahead of time.

25% of participants always planned their food choices based on MyPlate this month. 25% of participants sometimes planned their food choices based on MyPlate this month. 50% of participants never planned their food choices based on MyPlate over the past month.

During the past month, 25% of participants always bought food with lower added sugar or no sugar added. During the past month, 25% of participants often bought food with lower added sugar or no sugar added. During the past month, 25% of participants sometimes bought food with lower added sugar or no sugar added. During the past month, 25% of participants rarely bought food with lower added sugar or no sugar added.

Program Activities: Participants (Bingocizers^®) complete a series of strategically inserted exercises designed to increase or decrease the intensity and volume of exercise. Health education questions are also inserted into the game. Participants rest while numbers are called for the bingo game, then complete more strategically inserted exercises or health education questions, rest during number calling, and so on. This pattern is continued until a Bingocizer® wins the game. Small prizes are awarded to winners. Additional games are played until all planned exercises are completed. 

Program Goals: The overall goals of the program are to help older adults: 

1. Improve and/or maintain mobility and independence 
2. Learn and use health information focused on falls reduction and other health-related behaviors 
3. Engage older adults in social settings 

Design/Elements Rationale: 

1. A significant barrier to improving the health and well-being of sedentary older adults is getting them to adhere to an exercise-based health promotion program (Picorelli et al., 2014). 
2. Older adults enjoy and are more likely to participate in programs that are game-centered, interactive, and socially engaging 
3. Multimodal interventions (targeting multiple aspects of physical and/or cognitive health, such as health education and exercise) are most likely to produce improvements (Park et al., 2011). 

Target Population & Recommended Class Size: The program targets sedentary older adults at all ability levels, in a variety of settings, including certified nursing facilities, assisted living, independent living, and community senior centers. 

8-20; >20 requires two certified leaders 

Program Length: 

1. Participants play Bingocize^® for one hour 2 times per week for 10 weeks OR 
2. The program can be even more beneficial if played on an ongoing basis. 

Program Approvals: 

National Council On Aging (NCOA)-Bingocize® meets the highest- level criteria for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs, as established by the Administration on Aging Evidence-Based Programs Review Committee and qualifies for Title IIID or other applicable discretionary funds. 

SNAP-Ed Toolkit-?Bingocize® is approved as an evidence-based Obesity Prevention Intervention by the SNAP-Ed Toolkit.