None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The switch to plant-based diets (PBD) is not only an emerging societal trend but a global movement. Diets with an emphasis on higher intakes of plant foods and lower intakes of animal foods (i.e. plant-based) have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well reduced risk of major risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This cross-sectional cohort study aims to investigate the dietary profile and nutritional adequacy of current plant-based dietary patterns followed by middle-aged Australians and compare the risk of cardiovascular disease across plant-based dietary patterns and omnivorous diet (regular meat eaters). It is hypothesised that individuals following a PBD will have significantly different food group and nutrient intakes to individuals who regularly eat animal flesh. Moreover, the cardio-metabolic risk profile will differ between individuals following a PBD and individuals who are regular meat eaters. It is also hypothesised that the dietary profile and indicators of cardio-metabolic disease will differ across various types of PBDs and some PBDs may even be nutritionally inadequate when compared against the Australian Dietary Guidelines and/or Nutrient Reference Values. Unlike other studies where PBD are often categorised under the same category (e.g vegetarian) findings from this study will provide more specific information across the difference PBD categories and therefore more comprehensive evidence to potentially support future dietary guidelines around PBD.
Interventions
Eligible participants will be required to attend a total of 2 appointments. Participants will attend one appointment at the Newcastle Bone Density (NBD) Centre which is a private medical imaging center in Newcastle. Weight, height, body composition and BMI will be measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using the GE Lunar Prodigy DXA machine (narrow angle fan beam technology) by a consulting radiation expert. Participants will attend the center, at least 3 days prior to their clinic
Eligible participants will be required to attend a total of 2 appointments. Participants will attend one appointment at the Newcastle Bone Density (NBD) Centre which is a private medical imaging center in Newcastle. Weight, height, body composition and BMI will be measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using the GE Lunar Prodigy DXA machine (narrow angle fan beam technology) by a consulting radiation expert. Participants will attend the center, at least 3 days prior to their clinic appointment at the University of Newcastle. All participants will be required to complete a DXA Screening Questionnaire and written consent. Participants will be asked to wear light pull on clothing that is not bulky, avoid wearing any metal on their person including jewellery. Participants will then be asked to lie on a scanner bed while a scanning arm passes over the body. The DXA scan will be measured once only and it takes approximately 6 minutes to complete. Scan results and the signed DXA Screening Questionnaire will be emailed to study investigators from the technicians at the NBD Centre. The second appointment is an 2-hour clinic appointment at the University of Newcastle after an overnight (minimum 10 hour) fast (no food or beverage, except water), refraining from alcohol consumption and vigorous physical activity 24 hours prior to the appointment. Study participation involves completing a series of questionnaires (demographic & medical history, food frequency and physical activity), an interviewer-administered diet history, collection of a fasted blood sample, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements conducted by lead investigator GA. Participants will be provided with light refreshments at the conclusion of the clinic appointment. After analysis of the food frequency questionnaire and diet history participants will be placed into the following PBD categories; 1. Semi-Vegetarian if they reported eating 1 or less that 1 time(s) per week beef, lamb or pork; 1 or less than 1 time(s) per week chicken, turkey or duck; 1 or less than 1 time(s) per week processed meat and 1 or less than 1 times(s) per week fish or seafood; with a total of equal to or less than 1 time(s) per week for the four listed categories. 2. Pesco-Vegetarian if they reported eating nil beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, processed meat and 1 or less than 1 times(s) per week fish or seafood. 3. Lacto-ovo Vegetarian if they reported eating nil beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, processed meat, fish or seafood 1 or less than 1 time(s) per week animal-derived foods such as dairy products and/or eggs. 4. Vegan if they reported excluding all animal flesh and animal-derived foods such as dairy products and eggs.
Sponsors
University of Newcastle
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
35 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Middle-aged adults without existing cardiovascular disease
Exclusion criteria
• Cardiovascular disease diagnoses and/or are being treated for cardiovascular disease • Pregnant or lactating • Recently commenced a dietary intervention in the past 6 months • Made significant changes to their dietary patterns, food choices, lifestyle and/or physical activity levels in the past 6 months • Currently participating in (or in the last 30 days) another research intervention trial involving dietary intervention and/or physical activity intervention.
Outcome results
None listed