Clinical Research Directory

Pulses: Optimizing Pulse Consumption for Cardiometabolic Health

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of consuming two different doses of pulses (1.5 cups/week or 3 cups/week) in individuals with baseline intake below 1.5 cups/week, compared to a control group receiving standard nutrition education based on the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) My Plate guidelines. The main question the Pulses study aims to answer is: • What is the effect of increasing pulse consumption (in a dose-response manner) on specific cardiometabolic risk factors, including LDL-C, CRP, HBA1C, and blood pressure compared to standard nutrition education? For secondary outcomes, this study aims to answer the following: • Does increased pulse consumption improve the following: overall serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, Triglycerides (TG), diet quality (measured by the Healthy Eating Index), and participants self-reported satisfaction with life (SWLS) and Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWFoL). All participants will attend biweekly classes and food demonstrations. The pulses groups will learn to prepare various pulse-based recipes, while the control group will receive guidance on preparing healthy meals following the USDA MyPlate recommendations.

Systems Science Approaches to Improve Access to Healthier Foods: The FRESH Trial

Working with independently owned restaurants, a common source of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods in predominantly minority, low-income urban neighborhoods, has the potential to improve dietary quality, and contribute to cancer prevention. This study uses systems science approaches to improve access to healthier foods in independently owned restaurants by: 1) testing the effects of a novel intervention called FRESH (Focus on Restaurant Engagement to Strengthen Health) on dietary quality, health indicators and other outcomes in African American and Latin communities, and 2) developing a system dynamics model to allow stakeholders to virtually test FRESH strategies in their own communities. The resulting restaurant intervention simulation model offers potential cost savings from avoided trial-and-error testing, and will support community-based cancer prevention.

Effectiveness of an App for Mobile Phones (e-12HR) to Increase Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in University Students

This is a controlled, randomized and multicentric clinical trial aimed at university students and performed at the Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Seville (Spain). Its objective is to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on the use of an information and communication technology (ICT) tool, specifically an application for mobile telephones (called e-12HR), in the improvement of adherence to the Mediterranean diet.