Randomized Explanatory Trial of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Weight Loss Intervention for Primary Care Practices (Diversity Supplement – Gut Microbiota)
Project Title
Randomized Explanatory Trial of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Weight Loss Intervention for Primary Care Practices (Diversity Supplement – Gut Microbiota)
Funding Dates
9/01/2022-8/31/2024
Description
Research suggests that cardiometabolic diseases like heart disease and stroke are associated with an altered gut microbiota. The gut microbiota refers to the bacteria that live in our digestive tracts. A heart-healthy Mediterranean-style diet may be associated with beneficial gut microbiota changes. More research is needed on the relationship between gut health and cardiometabolic diseases particularly on the effects of whole diets (rather than specific dietary components). To address these gaps, this grant proposes a diversity supplement to the Randomized Explanatory Trial of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Weight Loss Intervention for Primary Care Practices (DELISH) Study. The purpose of the DELISH Study is to test whether a weight loss intervention emphasizing a healthful eating pattern (Med-South) can yield long-term weight loss and improved cardiovascular disease risk profiles over usual care. The current project leverages the patients recruited in DELISH to investigate the impacts of the Med-South intervention on the gut microbiota over time using fecal (stool) samples. Our goals are to (1) assess the association between participants’ baseline pre-intervention diet and microbiota composition, and (2) test the changes in the gut microbial community composition from baseline through four months of intervention follow-up.
Research Areas
Cardiovascular Health, Obesity, & Diabetes
Nutrition & Physical Activity
Principal Investigator
Harlyn G Skinner, PhD, MS
Funding
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)