Impact of Healthy Diet on Metabolic Health in Men and Women

Impact of Healthy Diet on Metabolic Health in Men and Women

The overall aim of the present research program is to determine how a healthy whole-diet approach impacts on cardiometabolic health in adults. With its interdisciplinary approach, the study depicts mechanisms behind disease progression and the impact of healthy dietary patterns on changes in markers of low-grade systemic inflammation together with the exploration of knowledge and attitudes about healthy diets. The study has a preventive character as it targets older adults (65+) without manifest disease.

This two arm randomized-controlled study includes the following groups: Controls and Healthy Diet group.

The study will particularly address the following aspects:

• determine food literacy, perceived attitudes and barriers for the adoption of new dietary habits incorporating increased fruit and vegetable intake in adults.
• explore the effects of a randomized controlled intervention promoting healthy dietary patterns (increased intakes of fruit and vegetable, whole-grain, nuts and low fat dairy products and replacing saturated with unsaturated fats and decreased red meat and salt consumption) for a period of 4 months on components of the metabolic syndrome, a large panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and metabolomic profile in adults.
• assess the long-term adherence to healthy dietary patterns in adults.
• provide support for behavioural change and evaluate participants' perception of this support.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65-70 years
• not meeting 5 servings of fruit and vegetable per day
• Waist circumference >80 cm (female) and >88 (male)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Movement disability
• Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, overt disease