Fruit and Vegetable Diet Intervention in Young Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: Fruvedomics Pilot Study
Authors: Clark Rashel L , Famodu Oluremi A , Barr Makenzie L , Murray Pamela J , Olfert I Mark , Downes Marianne T , Cuff Chris C , McFadden Joseph W , Chantler Paul D , Colby Sarah E , Olfert Melissa Diann 
Published: June 2021

Objective

Design and implement a multi‐disciplinary primary dietary intervention following the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 for young adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

University students (18–30 years old) with MetS were recruited via flyers, class announcements, and a phone screening questionnaire. Screened individuals completed anthropometric measures (height, weight, body fat percentage) and fasting blood lipids and serum glucose levels. Seventeen of forty‐one of the initially screened participants were diagnosed with MetS. Participants (n=17) were assessed with: arterial stiffness, complete blood lipid panel, anthropometric measures, 24‐hour diet recall, and body composition measurements (Bod Pod). Participants had an 8‐week diet intervention with weekly consultations reviewing data from food logs, food receipts, and adherence to the diet. Participants were given a culinary toolkit at the beginning of the intervention and had the opportunity to attend two group food demonstrations throughout the 8 weeks.

Results

Study participants (n=17, male=6; females=11) consisted of the following demographics. Ethnicity was 76% white, 17% African American, and 5% Asian. Mean age was 22±3.43 years old. Fruit and vegetable intake increased from pre‐assessment to 8 weeks. Mean fruit intake of the group increased from 0.6 cups to 1.9 cups per day. Mean vegetable intake of the group increased from 0.97 cups to 2.54 cups per day. A repeated measures analysis of both fruit (p<0.0001) and vegetable (p<0.0008) intake from pre‐assessment to week 8 was found to be significant.

CRP and cholesterol were higher than clinical normal values (11.6±11.3 mg/dl and 171±27 mg/dl, respectively) at the start of the intervention. Using the NCEP Panel III Risk Scoring for MetS‐the following is the percentage of the participants (n=17) who met the qualification for that category prior to the invention: Waist Circumference (100%), blood pressure (23.5%), fasting triglycerides (47%), high density lipoprotein (82%), and fasting blood glucose (70%). MetS risk score was also assessed using the West Virginia University MetS severity calculator, where all participants were at a high risk with scores ≥6.

Conclusions and Implications

Implementation of a free‐living 8‐week diet with intensive education and accountability gave participants the knowledge, skills, and feedback to improve fruit and vegetable consumption. Identification of young adults with MetS allows for implementation of an intervention to improve diet and decrease the individual's risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Support or Funding Information

USDA/AFRI #2014‐67001‐21851; WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute (NIH/MIGMS AwardNumber U54GM104942); WVU Mountains of Excellence Pilot Grant Program; and WVU Pediatrics Department Grant