Impact of a Whole-Foods, Plant-Based Nutrition Intervention on Patients Living with Chronic Disease in an Underserved Community

Abstract

The current study evaluated the impact of a whole-foods, plant-based nutrition intervention on metabolic markers of patients with chronic disease in an underserved community setting. A retrospective analysis of metabolic biomarkers preintervention and postintervention was conducted on 31 patients with metabolic disease who attended an Eating for Life group visit series. Significant decreases were found for body mass index (BMI; −0.66 [−0.91 to −0.40] kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (−12 [−19 to −5] mm Hg), total cholesterol (−20 [−29 to −10] mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL; −11.6 [−17.5 to −5.5] mg/dL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; −3.2 [−5.7 to −0.7] mg/dL, all Ps < .01). In participants with clinically abnormal preintervention data, the mean (95% CI) change significantly decreased for overweight (−0.45 [−0.85 to −0.05]) and obese (−0.76 [−1.13 to −0.39]) BMI, systolic blood pressure (−12 [−19 to −5] mm Hg), total cholesterol −22 [−40 to −4] mg/dL), and LDL (−15.6 [−23.8 to −7.4] mg/dL, all Ps ≤ .03). In conclusion, the Eating for Life model showed significant improvement in BMI, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL in a federally qualified health center population. Group visits advocating for a whole-foods, plant-based diet may be effective in reducing chronic disease burden in underserved communities.

Feasibility of a Food Delivery Intervention during Pregnancy in a Rural US Population: The PEAPOD Pilot Study

“…In some small studies, nutrition education has been shown to have an impact on clinically important biomarkers. For example, in a study of 31 patients with chronic disease, an intensive nutrition education model with group and individual visits emphasizing whole, plant-based foods, significant improvements were shown in BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels after 8 weeks [ 24 ]. However, in that study, as in many similar studies, participants were not randomized (all received the intervention).…”

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“…• A whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern (6,7) • Promotes leaner body mass, which is desirable for improved athletic performance • Has a multitude of benefits including helping to maintain weight, increase energy, promote better sleep, and improve mood (8) Sleep • Getting restorative sleep (for most people, between 7 and 9 h of sleep a day)…”