Clinical Research Directory

Behavioral Economics to Implement Nutrition Ranking in Food Pantries

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test whether using behavioral economic strategies to promote healthy food choices on a food bank's online ordering platform increases the use of the traffic light nutrition ranking system and increases healthier food selections by the food agencies (e.g., food pantries) who use the food bank.

Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Herbs and Spices for Improving Dietary Quality in College Students: A Pilot Study

The goal of this single-arm feasibility, pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of the Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program (HSNP-focusing on incorporating herbs and spices into the diet for adherence to the DGA's) for determining the scalability of implementing this intervention for a larger scale, more comprehensive study The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating herbs and spices into the diet along with DGA-focused nutrition education through the HSNP in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the preliminary effects of the HSNP on dietary intake/quality, cardiometabolic, and gut health in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the barriers associated with HSNP implementation in college students with poor dietary quality? Participants will: * Be asked to come to the study site initially for a Screening Study Visit to confirm eligibility. * Be asked to come the clinical study site for a Pre-HSNP and Post-HSNP Study Visit (one week prior starting the HSNP and after week 6 of completing the HSNP) for assessments of cardiometabolic and gut health. * Be asked to come to the Nutrition Center for weeks 0 and 3 of the HSNP, where they will receive education on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the health benefits of herbs and spices, have a sensory evaluation of foods, be provided budget-friendly recipes and resources, and given take-home herbs, spices, and supporting materials * Be asked to complete 3-Day Food Records throughout the 6 week study period for assessment of dietary quality (4 total)

How a Mediterranean Diet With Potatoes Impacts Heart and Metabolic Health in Adults With Pre-Diabetes

The goal of this clinical trial is to is to determine the effects of baked potato with the skin (BP) + nutrition education focused on adherence for a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MEDNE) on glycemic control, cardiometabolic health, and dietary quality in individuals with pre-diabetes from different demographic backgrounds. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does BP+MEDNE contribute to improvements in indices of glycemic control, vascular function, blood lipids, inflammation/oxidative stress, and body composition? * Does BP+MEDNE contribute to improvements to overall dietary intake and quality? Researchers will compare BP+MEDNE to MEDNE alone to see if BP+MEDNE can improve glycemic control, cardiometabolic health, and dietary quality in individuals with pre-diabetes from different demographic backgrounds. Participants will: * Be asked to come to the study site initially for a Screening Study Visit to confirm eligibility. * Be asked to come the study site for a Pre-Baseline and Pre-12-Week Study Visit (one week prior to Baseline and 12-Week Study Visits) for placement of placement of a continuous glucose monitor and wearable devices to be removed at Baseline and 12-Week Study Visits. * Be asked to come to the study site for Baseline, 6- and 12-Week Study Visits for assessments of glycemic control and cardiometabolic health. * Be asked to complete 3-Day Food Records throughout the 12 week study period for assessment of dietary quality (5 total) * Receive pre-recorded MEDNE ( which can be accessed via computer device/ipad/smartphone) after Baseline and 6-Week Study Visits. * If randomized to the BP+MEDNE group, participants will receive pre-prepared baked potatoes with the skin for the 12-week study period (every 3 weeks) at Baseline and 6-Week Study Visits and asked to come to the study site for picking up the pre-prepared baked potatoes at weeks 3 and 9 of the study period.

Smoothie Program for Achieving and Resilient Kids

The proposed study will examine whether eating yogurt every day can improve brain and gut health in children. Prior research suggests that yogurt may support cognitive functions like self-control, but more studies are needed to confirm this. The study will follow 60 children from Central Pennsylvania, ages 7 to 9, who will be randomly assigned to drink either fruit juice (control group) or yogurt smoothies once or twice a day for four weeks. Researchers will compare how different amounts of yogurt affect children's thinking skills (like memory and focus), brain activity, and gut bacteria. These changes will be measured through brain scans, computer-based thinking tasks, surveys, and stool samples. The study will also collect information about children's overall diet. The goal is to find out if yogurt can support healthy brain and gut development and to determine the right amount to include in a child's daily diet. Results will help guide future research on how nutrition supports children's health.

Enjoying Affordable and Tasty Food Together

The goal of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility of a novel meal kit and nutrition education intervention among adults aged 40 years and older, who are lower income, and to evaluate the preliminary impact of the meal kit and nutrition education intervention on food insecurity, dietary quality, mental health, quality of life and cardiovascular risk factors compared with general nutrition education materials in this population. The main questions are: What is the acceptability and satisfaction with the meal kits and nutrition education intervention? What are the participation rates in the nutrition education program and the evaluation of the intervention? What is the impact of the intervention on food insecurity, dietary quality and cooking and food preparation self-efficacy compared with general nutrition education materials? What is the impact of the intervention of psychosocial health, quality of life and cardiometabolic outcomes compared with general nutrition education materials?