The Plant-Based and Soul-Full Study (PASS)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this study is to examine if exposure to vegan soul food restaurants can increase African American adults' perceived benefits of consuming plant-based foods more so than standard guidelines. Although the health benefits of vegan diets are well documented, many people are reluctant to commit to a vegan diet long term. Various issues like food preparation, a lack of social support, or other barriers are often mentioned as reasons why people can't be vegan. This study will (1) find out if short term exposure (i.e. 3 weeks) to culturally tailored curriculum focusing on the health benefits of consuming plant-based foods increases African American adults' perceptions of adopting a vegan diet. And (2) if eating out a few times a week at vegan soul food restaurants can further increase African American adults' perceived benefits of a vegan than having to prepare all meals at home.

Detailed Description
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The goal of this study is to examine if exposure to vegan soul food restaurants can increase African American adults' perceived benefits of consuming plant-based foods more so than standard guidelines. Although the health benefits of vegan diets are well documented, many people are reluctant to commit to a vegan diet long term. Various issues like food preparation, a lack of social support, or other barriers are often mentioned as reasons why people can't be vegan. This study will (1) find out if short term exposure (i.e. 3 weeks) to culturally tailored curriculum focusing on the health benefits of consuming plant-based foods increases African American adults' perceptions of adopting a vegan diet. And (2) if eating out a few times a week at vegan soul food restaurants can further increase African American adults' perceived benefits of a vegan than having to prepare all meals at home. Study participants will receive counseling and informational materials from a trained research assistant to follow a vegan diet for 3 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a standard group or a restaurant group. The standard group will receive gift cards to shop at local super markets. The restaurant group will receive gift cards to eat out a few times a week at local vegan soul food restaurants. Changes in individuals' perceived benefits and barriers to consuming plant-based foods will be assessed with a validated survey at baseline and at the end of the 3 week period.

Official Title
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The Plant-Based and Soul-Full Study: Increasing African American Adults' Perceived Benefits of Consuming Plant-Based Foods

Conditions
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Dietary Modification

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Dietary Intervention: Restaurant
* Behavioral: Dietary Intervention: Standard/Grocery


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Self-identify as African American Be between the ages of 18-65 years Live in the Columbia, SC/Midlands area Be able to attend all meetings with the study coordinator Be willing to be randomized to either condition Exclusion Criteria: Currently following a vegan diet Under the age of 18 years old Over the age of 65 years old Not willing to attend meetings with the study coordinator Not willing to be randomized to either condition

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Standard Group<br>Participants in this group will receive counseling, informational materials, and recipes for following a vegan diet. Participants in this group will receive gift cards to go shopping at their local supermarkets and follow the diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3 week period each participant will have a follow-up meeting and provide feedback to the study personnel. The Dietary Intervention: Standard/Grocery includes intervention meetings and dietary counseling. | Behavioral: Dietary Intervention: Standard/Grocery<br>* Participants will receive instruction on how to follow a vegan diet for three weeks and will receive gift cards to grocery stores.<br>|
| Experimental: Restaurant Group<br>Participants in this group will receive counseling, informational materials, and recipes for following a vegan diet. Participants in this group will receive gift cards to go and eat out a few times a week at local vegan soul food restaurants and follow the diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3 week period each participant will have a follow-up meeting and provide feedback to the study personnel. The Dietary Intervention: Restaurant condition includes intervention meetings and dietary counseling. | Behavioral: Dietary Intervention: Restaurant<br>* Participants will receive instruction on how to follow a vegan diet for three weeks and will receive gift cards to local vegan soul food restaurants.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dietary acceptability using the Food Acceptability Questionnaire | Changes in acceptability of plant-based diets via a validated questionnaire | Baseline and three weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body weight using a digital scale | Body weight assess objectively via calibrated digital scale. | Baseline and three weeks | 
| Perceptions of Plant-based diets using the Perceived Barriers and Benefits Questionnaire | Changes in perceptions of plant-based diets via a validated questionnaire | Baseline and three weeks |