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Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Herbs and Spices for Improving Dietary Quality in College Students: A Pilot Study

Description

The goal of this single-arm feasibility, pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of the Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program (HSNP-focusing on incorporating herbs and spices into the diet for adherence to the DGA's) for determining the scalability of implementing this intervention for a larger scale, more comprehensive study The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating herbs and spices into the diet along with DGA-focused nutrition education through the HSNP in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the preliminary effects of the HSNP on dietary intake/quality, cardiometabolic, and gut health in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the barriers associated with HSNP implementation in college students with poor dietary quality? Participants will: * Be asked to come to the study site initially for a Screening Study Visit to confirm eligibility. * Be asked to come the clinical study site for a Pre-HSNP and Post-HSNP Study Visit (one week prior starting the HSNP and after week 6 of completing the HSNP) for assessments of cardiometabolic and gut health. * Be asked to come to the Nutrition Center for weeks 0 and 3 of the HSNP, where they will receive education on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the health benefits of herbs and spices, have a sensory evaluation of foods, be provided budget-friendly recipes and resources, and given take-home herbs, spices, and supporting materials * Be asked to complete 3-Day Food Records throughout the 6 week study period for assessment of dietary quality (4 total)

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this single-arm feasibility, pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of the Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program (HSNP-focusing on incorporating herbs and spices into the diet for adherence to the DGA's) for determining the scalability of implementing this intervention for a larger scale, more comprehensive study The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating herbs and spices into the diet along with DGA-focused nutrition education through the HSNP in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the preliminary effects of the HSNP on dietary intake/quality, cardiometabolic, and gut health in college students with poor dietary quality? * What are the barriers associated with HSNP implementation in college students with poor dietary quality? Participants will: * Be asked to come to the study site initially for a Screening Study Visit to confirm eligibility. * Be asked to come the clinical study site for a Pre-HSNP and Post-HSNP Study Visit (one week prior starting the HSNP and after week 6 of completing the HSNP) for assessments of cardiometabolic and gut health. * Be asked to come to the Nutrition Center for weeks 0 and 3 of the HSNP, where they will receive education on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the health benefits of herbs and spices, have a sensory evaluation of foods, be provided budget-friendly recipes and resources, and given take-home herbs, spices, and supporting materials * Be asked to complete 3-Day Food Records throughout the 6 week study period for assessment of dietary quality (4 total)

Assessing the Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Herbs and Spices for Improving Dietary Quality and Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in College Students With Poor Dietary Quality: A Pilot Study

Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Herbs and Spices for Improving Dietary Quality in College Students: A Pilot Study

Condition
Dietary Quality
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Las Vegas

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, Las Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89154

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * College students (undergraduate and graduate)
  • * Ages 18-39 years
  • * BMI 18.5-40 kg/m
  • * Having poor dietary quality (a Rapid Prime Diet Quality Score of 10 or below),
  • * Maintain current lifestyle habits (e.g., medications/ supplement use, exercise, and sleep), and avoid taking new supplements or medications throughout the study.
  • * Individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
  • * Uncontrolled hypertension
  • * BMIs \<18.5 or \>40 kg/m2
  • * Autoimmune disease or immune compromised
  • * A recent diagnosis of cancer or under current treatment for cancer
  • * A history of kidney stones
  • * Having pacemaker
  • * Participating in a weight loss program
  • * Having a history of any significant GI disease
  • * Insulin use
  • * Currently on dialysis
  • * Currently consuming pro-/pre-biotics or antiobiotics
  • * Diagnosed with unstable chronic metabolic disease
  • * Have allergies to any herbs and spices
  • * Are pregnant/nursing
  • * Participating in another investigational study
  • * Unable or unwilling to give consent

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 39 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Nevada, Las Vegas,

Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31