Feasibility and Acceptability of a Beverage Intervention for Hispanic Adults

In the U.S., Hispanics have the highest rates of overweight and obesity when compared to
other racial/ethnic groups placing them at a greater risk for obesity-related disease. Yet,
current literature is limited to information on best practices to engage Hispanics in
health-promoting lifestyle interventions. Without this information the health consequences
associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and high
cholesterol, will continue. Evidence exists to support diet-specific behavioral interventions
in reducing obesity-related health risks. Among the more adoptable interventions to date are
efforts targeting beverage intake. Yet, there are limited data to suggest these approaches
are effective for Hispanics despite this being the fastest growing and highest burdened group
for obesity-related disease within the U.S. population.

This study aims to 1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of a prescribed beverage
intervention in 50 obese Hispanic adults ages 18-64 years over 6 weeks; 2) assess preliminary
effects of the beverage intervention on cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as other
markers of health such as blood pressure, glucose and markers of inflammation. This project,
if successful, will provide early evidence that targeting dietary behavior around beverage
intake could be a novel and easily adopted approach to reduce the burden or delay the onset
of metabolic abnormalities in obese Hispanic adults. The expected outcome of the proposed
project is the identification of feasible and appropriate beverage intervention strategies to
improve engagement and adherence to dietary modification approaches for control of metabolic
health indicators in this vulnerable ethnic group.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Self-identify as Hispanic

- 18-64 years of age

- BMI between 30 to 50.0 kg/m²

- Ability to participate in and provide informed consent.

- Speak, read, and write either English and/or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

- History of liver disease

- Current medication for glucose control, cholesterol control; uncontrolled BP

- Current eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, etc. (likely to make
adherence to prescribed beverage intake difficult)

- Current alcohol or substance abuse

- Currently treated for psychological issues (i.e. depression, bipolar disorder, etc.),
taking psychotropic medications with the previous 12 months, or hospitalized for
depression within the previous 5 years

- Report exercise on ≥3 days per week for ≥ 20 minutes per day over the past 3 months

- Report weight loss of ≥5% or participating in a weight reduction diet program in the
past 3 months

- Report plans to relocate to a location that limits their access to the study site or
having employment, personal, or travel commitments that prohibit attendance to all of
the scheduled assessments

- Report consumption of ≥ 1 cup of green tea daily and not willing to complete 2 week
run-in period

- Report consumption of ≥ 1 cup of citrus fruit daily and not willing to complete 2 week
run-in period