RECRUITING

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

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

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)

Official Title

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

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-07-03
Study Completion:2026-12-31
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT07082348

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.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 39 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * College students (undergraduate and graduate)
  2. * Ages 18-39 years
  3. * BMI 18.5-40 kg/m
  4. * Having poor dietary quality (a Rapid Prime Diet Quality Score of 10 or below),
  5. * Maintain current lifestyle habits (e.g., medications/ supplement use, exercise, and sleep), and avoid taking new supplements or medications throughout the study.
  1. * Individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
  2. * Uncontrolled hypertension
  3. * BMIs \<18.5 or \>40 kg/m2
  4. * Autoimmune disease or immune compromised
  5. * A recent diagnosis of cancer or under current treatment for cancer
  6. * A history of kidney stones
  7. * Having pacemaker
  8. * Participating in a weight loss program
  9. * Having a history of any significant GI disease
  10. * Insulin use
  11. * Currently on dialysis
  12. * Currently consuming pro-/pre-biotics or antiobiotics
  13. * Diagnosed with unstable chronic metabolic disease
  14. * Have allergies to any herbs and spices
  15. * Are pregnant/nursing
  16. * Participating in another investigational study
  17. * Unable or unwilling to give consent

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD
CONTACT
702-570-3358
neda.akhavan@unlv.edu
Sara K Rosenkranz, PhD
CONTACT
702-895-0938
sara.rosenkranz@unlv.edu

Principal Investigator

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

Study Locations (Sites)

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

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-07-03
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-07-03
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • dietary quality
  • dietary guidelines for americans
  • college students
  • cardiometabolic health
  • gut microbiome

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Quality
  • Feasibility Studies
  • College Student
  • Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  • Gut Microbiome
  • Lipid Profiles
  • Herbs and Spices
  • Acceptability
  • Inflammation Biomarkers
  • Body Composition
  • Anthropometrics