Mixed methods evaluation of a low-carbohydrate high-fat nutrition education program for women from underserved communities in South Africa.

Autor: Pujol-Busquets G; Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Health Through Physical Activity Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Open University of Catalonia, UOC, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: georgipbg@uoc.edu., Smith J; Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Health Through Physical Activity Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, South Africa; International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, HPALS, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa; Research Center for Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Physiology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa., Fàbregues S; Department of Psychology and Education, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain., Bach-Faig A; FoodLab Research Group (2021 SGR 01357), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Open University of Catalonia, UOC, 08018 Barcelona, Spain., Larmuth K; Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Health Through Physical Activity Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, South Africa; International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre of Sports Medicine, HPALS, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa; Research Center for Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Physiology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Appetite [Appetite] 2025 Jan 01; Vol. 204, pp. 107725. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 22.
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107725
Abstrakt: South Africa faces a dual burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and communicable diseases, exacerbated by the high consumption of processed foods. The Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) program implements community-based low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) interventions to address these issues. This study evaluated the impact of EBSA's 6-week program on the metabolic health and well-being of 32 women from underserved communities. It assessed outcomes before, immediately after, and six months post-intervention (n = 21). Quantitative findings showed significant improvements in key health markers. After six months, participants experienced an average weight loss of 5.6 kg (+- 5.5), a BMI reduction of 2 kg/m 2 , and a waist circumference decrease of 6.6 cm. Blood pressure dropped by 10.7 mmHg on average, and fasting glucose levels decreased significantly. Reductions were also observed in triglycerides and HbA1c, indicating better glycemic control. Liver function markers (GGT, ALT) and inflammation markers (CRP) improved as well. Qualitative analysis highlighted several key themes: participants were motivated by a desire to improve their health and lose weight but faced challenges such as social pressures, community violence, and scepticism about the diet's affordability and sustainability. Despite these barriers, positive experiences like increased energy and better hunger control were reported. Participants expressed the need for ongoing support to maintain these changes, both from the program and from their community. These findings suggest that LCHF diets can effectively manage metabolic conditions, but long-term adherence is challenged by socio-economic factors. The study highlights the importance of community-based interventions and highlights the need for further research to develop sustainable health strategies in low-income settings.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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