FRUVEDomics Study: Use of a Behavioral Nutrition Intervention in Young Adults to Identify Modifiable Metabolomics and Microbiome Risk

Background: Rates of obesity and the metabolic syndrome are increasing in the young adult population (years 18-28), further creating a need for interventions that will improve later quality of life. Modifying diet, especially increasing fruit and vegetable intake, can help assist in health maintenance and disease prevention. In the past decade, there has been considerable research on behavior interventions focusing on dietary change for the promotion of health. However, successful theory-based dietary behavioral interventions for young adults who follow poor lifestyle habits, are limited. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the FRUVEDomics pilot study on dietary behaviors and metabolic parameters on young adults "at-risk" of disease.

Methods: An 8-week free-living dietary intervention, based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and driven by the Social Cognitive Theory, was conducted in young adults (18-28 years old) at West Virginia University. Individuals were recruited if they had pre-existing poor nutritional habits. A metabolic syndrome risk screening score was given to participants at baseline to measure "risk" status for chronic disease. Subjects (n=36) were randomized into one of three nutritional intervention groups; 1) "FRUVED" (50% fruit & vegetable), 2) "FRUVED+LRC" (50% fruit & vegetable plus low refined carbohydrate), and 3) "FRUVED+LF" (50% fruit & vegetable plus low fat). Anthropometrics, surveys, venous blood samples and body composition were collected before and after the intervention. Group nutrition education including basic nutrition for the prescribed intervention, culinary tool kit distribution, sample budget and grocery shopping tips were successfully delivered to each participant group prior to the start of the intervention. Participants underwent individual weekly consultations with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist using food logs, food pictures and receipt management, to assess adherence and cost of the intervention.

Specific Aim: Identify novel metabolomic and microbiome phenotypes in response to fruit and vegetable diet intervention in young adults with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Hypothesis 1: Diet consisting of 50% fruit & vegetable consumption (FRUVED diet) will improve metabolic health as evidenced by lower plasma concentrations of adipokines, inflammatory mediators, and ceramides.

Hypothesis 2. Diet induced changes in the metabolome and micobiome will reveal novel phenotypes that have the potential to be used as new diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish between MetS and healthy adolescents.