A Culturally-relevant Micronutrient-dense Plant-rich (mNDPR) Dietary Intervention for Native Americans

Description

The investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control to determine efficacy in reducing risk of obesity and related disease in Native American employees of Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group or the wait-list control. The experimental group will receive a 12-week mNDPR nutrition intervention with culturally relevant materials. Five NAU Masters of Public Health (MPH) students will be trained in Motivational Interviewing and the mNDPR nutrition protocol to serve as Lifestyle Coaches. These students will lead weekly, group-based coaching sessions with up to 15 participants each at Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be assigned to their designated group based on their availability. The 12 weekly group sessions will be scheduled to accommodate various work shifts (day, night, and swing). The first group session will be 2-hours long to serve as an 'immersion', followed by weekly 1-hour sessions, all led by the Lifestyle Coaches. The Lifestyle Coaches will use Motivational Interviewing techniques to assist participants to develop personal goals. Lifestyle Coaches will also provide nutrition education, specifically using the mNDPR protocol. Participants in the wait-list control will receive the same intervention after the experimental group completes their 12-week intervention. In addition to measures at weeks 0 and 13, a 24-hour diet recall will be conducted in week 26 for the experimental group to explore long-term durability of diet quality changes.

Conditions

Obesity, Blood Glucose, High

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control to determine efficacy in reducing risk of obesity and related disease in Native American employees of Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group or the wait-list control. The experimental group will receive a 12-week mNDPR nutrition intervention with culturally relevant materials. Five NAU Masters of Public Health (MPH) students will be trained in Motivational Interviewing and the mNDPR nutrition protocol to serve as Lifestyle Coaches. These students will lead weekly, group-based coaching sessions with up to 15 participants each at Twin Arrows Casino. Participants will be assigned to their designated group based on their availability. The 12 weekly group sessions will be scheduled to accommodate various work shifts (day, night, and swing). The first group session will be 2-hours long to serve as an 'immersion', followed by weekly 1-hour sessions, all led by the Lifestyle Coaches. The Lifestyle Coaches will use Motivational Interviewing techniques to assist participants to develop personal goals. Lifestyle Coaches will also provide nutrition education, specifically using the mNDPR protocol. Participants in the wait-list control will receive the same intervention after the experimental group completes their 12-week intervention. In addition to measures at weeks 0 and 13, a 24-hour diet recall will be conducted in week 26 for the experimental group to explore long-term durability of diet quality changes.

Reduction of Risk Factors for Obesity and Linked Chronic Diseases in Native American Employees of the Twin Arrows Casino Through a Culturally-relevant Micronutrient-dense Plant-rich (mNDPR) Dietary Intervention

A Culturally-relevant Micronutrient-dense Plant-rich (mNDPR) Dietary Intervention for Native Americans

Condition
Obesity
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Flagstaff

PRANDIAL Lab, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States, 86011

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

  • * Self-identified Native American employee of Twin Arrows Casino;
  • * 21-65 years of age;
  • * self-reported body mass index (BMI) of \>24 kg/m;
  • * not currently participating in a weight-loss program;
  • * not taking any medications that could increase medical risk (e.g., insulin) or that had weight loss as a primary side effect;
  • * must work at Navajo Gaming Enterprise one year prior to the start of the study and indicate intent to work at Navajo Gaming Enterprise over the following year through the length of the study.
  • * Individuals reporting gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, gastric sleeve, or duodenal switch weight loss surgeries;
  • * pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant within the next year;
  • * insulin dependence;
  • * inability to attend weekly group coaching sessions will be ineligible to participate.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Northern Arizona University,

Nanette Lopez, PhD, MS/MS, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Northern Arizona University

Study Record Dates

2025-06