A Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Education Program for the Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Southeastern U.S.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Enrolled in Auburn University's health insurance program during the course of the
study or a dependent of the enrollee during the course of the study

- BMI >24.9 (kg/m2)

- AND Meets two or more of the following

- Screening values classified in the "yellow" or "red" zone for:

- Systolic blood pressure (mmHg): Yellow zone: ≥140, Red zone: ≥160;

- Diastolic Blood pressure (mmHg): Yellow zone: ≥90, Red zone: ≥ 100;

- Fasting blood glucose (mm/dL): Yellow zone: ≥100, Red zone: ≥ 126

- Blood glucose (random) (mg/dL): Yellow zone: 140-200, Red zone > 200

- Total Cholesterol (mg/dL): Yellow zone: ≥200, red zone: ≥250

- Have a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension, pre-diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia

- Current smoker (≥1 cigarette/day)

- Are: male (age: 55-80) or female (age: 60-80)

- A family history of premature coronary heart disease

- High risk ethnicity: Black, African American, American Indians/Alaska Natives,
Non-Hispanic blacks, Mexican-Americans, Asian, Hispanic/Latino

Exclusion Criteria:

- Minors that are less than 19 years of age

- Individuals who are not enrolled in the Auburn University health insurance program for
the 2016 plan year at baseline and have not yet completed initial visit

- Individuals who have not completed their 2015 "Healthy Tigers" biometric screening
between January 1st and December 31st, 2015 (these can be completed by the "Healthy
Tigers" staff or by submitting a healthcare provider form from the individuals'
physician to the "Healthy Tigers" office), unless enrolled in "TigerMeds".

- Individuals who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant during the 12-week
health and wellness challenge.

- Individuals who anticipate absence or travel throughout the study that would interfere
with their ability to complete the analysis at the mid-point and end of challenge.

- Patients with a peanut, tree nut, or olive oil food allergy or intolerance.

- Patients who are unable or unwilling to travel to Auburn University main campus for
live health and wellness challenge events, individual assessments, personal
appointments, and pre- and post- data collection

- Individuals who have NOT been stabilized on medication to treat or manage high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, dyslipidemia, or pre diabetes for at least 12 weeks prior
to the study.

- Patients who do not have access to the internet and therefore unable to complete the
education portion of the study

- Individuals who have a pacemaker

- Patients who decline participation during informed consent