| Abstrakt: |
Introduction:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the USA is increasing, consistent with the rise in obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. The African American (AA) population carries the highest CVD risk, with high rates of obesity, particularly in women, attributed to unhealthful nutrition. The 2019 ACC/AHA Prevention Guidelines emphasize reduction of dietary sodium, cholesterol, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and sweetened beverages.Hypothesis:Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) can be reduced in a cohort of volunteers in an urban AA community church, during a 5-week ACC/AHA-styled nutrition intervention, assessed by measuring risk markers and adherence.Methods:The cohort consisted of 53 volunteers who committed to eat only delivered non-dairy vegetarian meals (average daily calories 1155, sodium 1285 mg, cholesterol 0 mg; 58% carbohydrate, 17% protein, 25% fat). BMI and fasting serum markers of CMR were measured, with collection of any dietary deviation.Results:Of 53 volunteers, 44 (mean age 60.2 years, 37 women), completed the trial (88%); 1 was intolerant of the meals, 1 completed both blood draws but did not eat delivered food, and 7 did not return for the tests. Adherence to the diet was reported at 93% in the remaining 44. As in the Figure, measured CMR factors improved significantly, highlighted by a marked reduction in serum insulin (-43%, p=0.000), hemoglobin A1c (6.2% to 6.0%, p=0.000), weight and BMI (-10.2 lbs, 33 to 31 kg/m2, p=0.000), but with small reductions of fasting glucose (107 to 101 mg/dl, p=0.405) and triglyceride levels (-4%, p=0.408).Conclusions:In this prospective 5-week non-dairy vegetarian intervention consistent with ACC/AHA Guidelines in an at-risk AA population, markers of cardiometabolism and body weight were significantly reduced. Completion was high, adherence was excellent. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of improving nutrition, reducing both obesity and cardiometabolic risk in AA?s. |
