Reducing Obesity and Related Health Risks in Native American Employees at Twin Arrows Casino Using a Culturally Relevant Plant-Rich Diet

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate a culturally relevant micronutrient-dense plant-rich mNDPR dietary intervention designed to reduce obesity and related disease risks among Native American employees of Twin Arrows Casino. Native Americans face higher rates of obesity and Type II diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The study involves a randomized controlled trial to assess improvements in physical health measures, wellness, and healthcare costs over one year. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 12-week mNDPR nutrition program or a wait-list control group. The intervention includes a 2-hour initial group session followed by weekly 1-hour coaching sessions led by trained Native American Masters of Public Health students using Motivational Interviewing. Sessions provide nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, workplace dining tours, and social support. The wait-list control group will maintain usual eating habits during the first 12 weeks before receiving the same intervention. Participants will undergo health and wellness assessments at baseline and after 13 weeks, with additional diet recall at week 26 for the experimental group and follow-up measures for the control group. Healthcare utilization will be reviewed at 52 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in Hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, insulin, blood lipids, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, and wellness indicators like anxiety and sleep quality. Adherence to the diet will be monitored weekly, alongside attendance and self-monitoring of diet compliance.

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