Reduction of Risk Factors for Obesity and Linked Chronic Diseases in Native American Employees of the Twin Arrows Casino Through a Culturally-relevant Micronutrient-dense Plant-rich (mNDPR) Dietary Intervention
Northern Arizona University
Summary
The investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control to determine efficacy in reducing risk of obesity and related disease in Native American employees of Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group or the wait-list control. The experimental group will receive a 12-week mNDPR nutrition intervention with culturally relevant materials. Five NAU Masters of Public Health (MPH) students will be trained in Motivational Interviewing and the mNDPR nutrition protocol to serve as Lifestyle Coaches. These students will lead weekly, group-based coaching sessions with up to 15 participants each at Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be assigned to their designated group based on their availability. The 12 weekly group sessions will be scheduled to accommodate various work shifts (day, night, and swing). The first group session will be 2-hours long to serve as an 'immersion', followed by weekly 1-hour sessions, all led by the Lifestyle Coaches. The Lifestyle Coaches will use Motivational Interviewing techniques to assist participants to develop personal goals. Lifestyle Coaches will also provide nutrition education, specifically using the mNDPR protocol. Participants in the wait-list control will receive the same intervention after the experimental group completes their 12-week intervention. In addition to measures at weeks 0 and 13, a 24-hour diet recall will be conducted in week 26 for the experimental group to explore long-term durability of diet quality changes.
Description
Native Americans are 50% more likely to be obese compared with non-Hispanic Whites and are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. Obesity and poor diet quality are major risk factors for developing Type II diabetes, and Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by poor physical health outcomes. The investigators propose to develop a culturally-relevant micronutrient-dense plant-rich (mNDPR) dietary protocol, which will then be used in a pilot, randomized-controlled trial (RCT) to test the effectiveness of improving health and wellness of Native American employees of Twin Arrows…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identified Native American employee of Twin Arrows Casino; * 21-65 years of age; * self-reported body mass index (BMI) of \>24 kg/m; * not currently participating in a weight-loss program; * not taking any medications that could increase medical risk (e.g., insulin) or that had weight loss as a primary side effect; * must work at Navajo Gaming Enterprise one year prior to the start of the study and indicate intent to work at Navajo Gaming Enterprise over the following year through the length of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals reporting gastric bypass,…
Interventions
- BehavioralMicronutrient-dense plant-rich Intervention
The mNDPR dietary protocol is designed to be (1) micronutrient rich (i.e., high in plant-derived phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals); (2) nutritionally adequate and diverse; (3) hormonally favorable, avoiding carbohydrates with a high glycemic index that could elevate levels of serum insulin and minimizing animal protein that may invoke an inflammatory response; and (4) encourage intake of regular meals, limited consumption of snacks, and an overnight "fast" of at least 12 hours. The calorie breakdown of the diet is derived from approximately: 30-60% vegetables, 10-40% beans/legumes, 10-40% fruit, 10-40% seeds/nuts, 20% whole grains, no more than 10% naturally raised and wild animal products, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy, oil and white potatoes.
Location
- PRANDIAL LabFlagstaff, Arizona