Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Hass Avocado Trial ("CHAT") (CHAT)

Avocado Voucher Impact on Health Outcomes in Hispanic/Latino Adults With or At-risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States (U.S.) bear a disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Dietary changes, facilitated by increased access and adherence to healthy foods, are necessary. In this study, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) will be used to quantify changes in glycemic control in Hispanic/Latino (predominantly of Mexican origin) adults with or at-risk of T2D before and after receiving free avocados for 12 weeks. Beyond CGM-measured glycemic control, wearable activity and sleep monitors, physical exams, laboratory analyses, and questionnaires/logs will be used to track the impact of free avocado vouchers. The findings are anticipated to help clinicians provide new information to support positive behavior change to reduce the risk of T2D or progression from pre-diabetes to T2D and make it easier for patients to access healthier food, potentially leading to improved health.

In this study, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) will be used to quantify changes in glycemic control in Hispanic/Latino adults with and at-risk of T2D before and after receiving free avocado vouchers. The impact of using CGM to determine the effect of improving access to avocados on glycemic profiles and food related-behaviors for Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of T2D is not known at present. To address this need, increased avocado consumption will be combined with CGM to assess post-prandial glucose responses. This is based on evidence showing that one half of a Hass avocado at lunch is associated with increased satisfaction and reduced desire to eat over the subsequent 3-5 hours in overweight or obese adults. For CGM, there is a lack of prospective data on the relationship between derived metrics and complications for adults with non-insulin treated T2D or at-risk of T2D, but glucose profiles from non-diabetic subjects suggest very tight glycemic control, with only brief postprandial excursions >140 mg/dL. Cross-sectional data suggests more time spent between 140 and 180 mg/dl comparing predominantly Mexican American adults at risk of T2D to adults with pre-T2D and to adults with diagnosed T2D. Further, in a study examining the thresholds for CGM at which vascular disease can be detected, Lu and colleagues reported time in ranges above 140 mg/dL was associated with abnormal values for retinopathy and carotid intima-medial thickness, a measure of macrovascular disease risk. Hence, the focus in this study will be time in range between 140 and 180 mg/dl between 6 am and 12 am (waking hours).

This study will consist of two groups into which participants will be randomly assigned 1:1. One (active) group will receive vouchers for free avocados. The other (control) group will not receive avocado vouchers (to control for the impact of seasonal changes on diet that are outside the influence of the trial).

Food as Medicine to demonstrate clinically meaningful benefits for underserved communities. Avocados are fruits with fats, fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals.

Time in range (TIR) between 140 and 180 mg/dL [TIR (140-180)]- Change from Prior to Intervention, to Final Two Weeks of Intervention

Prescribed medicines for T2D and/or hypertension- Change from Enrollment Visit to Study Conclusion Visit

Self-reported sleep, mood, and pain via 100 mm Likert scale questionnaire- Change from Enrollment, and to Final Visit

Self-reported Food security via United States Dept. of Agriculture U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form - Change from Enrollment, and at Final Visit

Change in Eating Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) mean score (25-175), with higher scores indicating lower eating self-efficacy.

Change in Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) mean score (1-7), with higher scores indicating stronger habits.

Change in Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ) mean score (1-5), with higher scores indicating better self-regulation of eating behavior.

Physical Activity- Daily step count averaged over ≤14 days, Change from first Fitbit application (pre-intervention) to second Fitbit application (in final 14 days of intervention).

First Fitbit application (pre-intervention) to second Fitbit application (in final 14 days of intervention)

First Fitbit application (pre-intervention) to second Fitbit application (in final 14 days of intervention)

Change in TIR between 140 and 180 mg/dL [TIR (140-180)] between 6 am and 12 am (waking hours), averaged over ≤14 days from first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

Change in Average Glucose averaged over ≤14 days from first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

Change in TIR 70-180 mg/dL averaged over ≤14 days from first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

Change in time >180 mg/dL averaged over ≤14 days from first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

Change in time <70 mg/dL averaged over ≤14 days from first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

first CGM application (pre-intervention) to second CGM application (in final 14 days of intervention).

Acceptability of the intervention as measured by the weekly avocado acceptability questionnaire (WAAQ)

Regression analysis between avocado adherence measured as an average number of avocados consumed as reported via the daily avocado consumption log (DACL) and personality traits assessed via the Mini International Personality Item Tool.

Each participant will fill out the Mini International Personality Item Tool (Mini-IPIP) at the start of the study. It comprises 20 items and assesses the five personality factors (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Imagination). Scoring includes computing the mean score for each factor with a value ranging from 1 to 5 (very inaccurate to very accurate). Avocado adherence measured as the mean of the number of avocados consumed as reported via the daily avocado consumption log (DACL) will be computed. A regression analysis will be performed between the mean of the number of avocados consumed as the response variable and the five personality factors scores as the predictor variables. The coefficients of the regression analysis will be studied to evaluate if personality traits can predict avocado adherence.

Regression analysis between the average number of avocados consumed as reported via the daily avocado consumption log (DACL) and motives underlying the selection of food assessed by the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ)

Each participant will fill out the Food Choice Questionnaire at the start of the study. It comprises 36 items and assesses the importance of 9 types of motives underlying food selection (Health, Mood, Convenience, Sensory Appeal, Natural Content, Price, Weight Control, Familiarity and Ethical Concern). Scoring includes computing the mean score for each type of motive ranging from 1-4 with higher values indicating higher importance. Avocado adherence measured as the mean of the number of avocados consumed as reported via the daily avocado consumption log (DACL) will be computed. A regression analysis will be performed between the mean of the number of avocados consumed as the response variable and the scores of the 9 types of motives underlying food selection as the predictor variables. The coefficients of the regression analysis will be studied to evaluate if food choice motives can predict avocado adherence.

Regression analysis between average composite acceptability score on the weekly Avocado Acceptability Questionnaire and Personality traits assessed via the Mini International Personality Item Tool.

Each participant will fill out the Mini International Personality Item Tool at the start of the study. It comprises 20 items and assesses the five personality factors (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Imagination). Scoring includes computing the mean score for each factor with a value ranging from 1 to 5 (very inaccurate to very accurate). The mean of the composite acceptability score on the weekly Avocado Acceptability Questionnaire (average taken over 12 weeks) will be computed. A regression analysis will be performed between the mean of the composite acceptability score as the response variable and the five personality factors scores as the predictor variables. The coefficients of the regression analysis will be studied to evaluate if personality traits can predict acceptability score.

Regression analysis between average composite acceptability score on the weekly Avocado Acceptability Questionnaire and motives underlying the selection of food assessed by the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ)

Each participant will fill out the Food Choice Questionnaire at the start of the study. It comprises 36 items and assesses the importance of 9 types of motives underlying food selection (Health, Mood, Convenience, Sensory Appeal, Natural Content, Price, Weight Control, Familiarity, and Ethical Concern). Scoring includes computing the mean score for each type of motive ranging from 1-4 with higher values indicating higher importance. The mean of the composite acceptability score on the weekly Avocado Acceptability Questionnaire (average taken over 12 weeks) will be computed. A regression analysis will be performed between the mean of the composite acceptability score as the response variable and the scores of the 9 types of motives underlying food selection as the predictor variables. The coefficients of the regression analysis will be studied to evaluate if food choice motives can predict acceptability score.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults ≥ 18 years of age at enrollment. Self-reported Hispanic/Latino heritage. Self-reported diagnosis of T2D or self-reported as at risk for developing T2D using the American Diabetes Association diabetes risk assessment tool [25]. Exclusion Criteria: Use of insulin Pregnancy Any active clinically significant disease or disorder which in the investigator's opinion could interfere with participation in the study.