Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions for Heart Disease

(P2P Trial)

This trial explores whether combining healthy food options with personalized health tools can boost heart health and support lasting lifestyle changes for families. Researchers are testing combinations such as nutrition education, tailored groceries, health coaching, and an online health assessment tool (PRO-CVH) to determine the most effective approach. It targets families where the parent has a BMI over 30 and Medicaid, and there is a child aged 6 to 11. Participants receive various supports, and researchers track changes in heart health over several months. The study aims to lay the groundwork for a larger trial to develop a practical, cost-effective program for healthier living. As an unphased trial, it offers families the chance to contribute to innovative health solutions that could enhance their well-being.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be able to consume fruits and vegetables without concerns of any medication-nutrient interactions.

Previous studies have linked providing groceries tailored to medical needs and offering cooking classes to better health outcomes. Evidence shows these programs help people consume more fruits and vegetables and feel more secure about their food situation, leading to improved health and confidence in food availability.

Research on Healthy Conversational Skills indicates that enhancing discussions about health can improve heart health. This approach engages patients in their health choices, increasing adherence to heart-healthy habits.

The PRO-CVH tool, which stands for "Cardiovascular Health," has been studied for its ability to lower heart disease risk. A higher cardiovascular health score correlates with a reduced chance of heart problems like heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers are excited about the Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions for Heart Disease trial because it explores a comprehensive approach to improving cardiovascular health beyond traditional medications like statins or beta-blockers. This trial uniquely combines nutrition education with medically tailored groceries, cooking classes, and Healthy Conversational Skills, potentially offering a more holistic and personalized approach to heart health. Additionally, the use of PRO-CVH, a web-based application designed to assess and communicate cardiovascular health, represents a novel digital tool that could enhance patient engagement and understanding of their condition. By integrating these diverse elements, the trial aims to uncover potentially more effective strategies for managing heart disease.

This trial will evaluate various interventions for heart health. Research has shown that providing specially chosen groceries and cooking classes, which some participants in this trial will receive, can greatly improve diet quality and food security, both important for better heart health. Studies have found that these programs lead to healthier eating habits and may lower the risk of heart disease. Participants in other arms will receive Healthy Conversational Skills, a method of behavior change counseling that encourages open discussions about health, leading to better heart health decisions. Additionally, the PRO-CVH tool, which some participants will access, measures heart health and is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Higher scores on this tool are associated with a reduced risk of developing heart problems. Together, these approaches have shown promise in improving heart health by supporting better lifestyle choices.³⁶⁷⁸⁹