Behavioral Plant-Based Dietary Intervention in Latinos (SBPlant)

A Behavioral and Plant-Based Dietary Intervention to Improve Metabolic Health and Diabetes Risk Factors in an Underserved Latino Population

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Sansum Diabetes Research Institute

The Aims of this study are 1) to develop a traditional plant-based diet that is palatable and acceptable to the Latino population and which contains the appropriate calorie and macronutrient composition needed to lose weight and improve metabolic function and; 2) to develop a culturally sensitive (based on previous literature and stakeholder input) lifestyle intervention program, that will be delivered by community health workers (CHWs), that focuses on consuming a traditional plant-based diet and overcoming the barriers to incorporating this dietary therapy as part of the family lifestyle but with a focus on the adult participant with obesity. Ultimately, in Aim 3 the investigators will conduct a 16-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 40 Latino adults with obesity (20 control, 20 treatment) to evaluate the intervention's: i) clinical efficacy; ii) fidelity of the implementation by CHWs; and iii) acceptance by CHWs and study participants. The current status of the RCT is not yet ready to begin. The current activities are only preparatory to research, and/or activities that do not involve human subjects research (Aims 1 and 2). The investigators will submit a separate project before conducting the human subjects research that is described in this In-Concept project.

In this arm, participants will receive the behavioral plant-based intervention from community health workers.

Participants will meet with community health workers to receive information focused on healthy eating and consuming a traditional plant-based diet in a group format for the first few months followed by individual check-ins.

Participants will meet with community health workers to receive general health information through individual check-ins.

Community health workers' and study participants' perceptions of program acceptability via questionnaire

Inclusion Criteria: Self-reported Hispanic and/or Latino heritage Body Mass Index (BMI) 30-42 kg/m² HbA1c ≤ 6.4% Exclusion Criteria: Previous diagnosis of diabetes Unstable weight (≥4% during the last 2 months prior to study enrollment) Severe cardiovascular disease within the 6 months prior to study enrollment Severe organ system dysfunction active substance abuse with alcohol or drugs Severe anemia Pregnant or breastfeeding Use of medications that are known to affect the study outcome measures Persons who are not able to grant voluntary informed consent