Engy Helal, MD MS RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: This study aimed to observe changes in dietary habits and explore barriers throughout a 4-week intervention, which included weekly in-person nutrition education sessions, infographic handouts, and meal-bundling ingredients and recipes.
Methods: Weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured pre- and post-intervention. Participants were also asked to reflect on changes made each week that related to session topics and recipes through a short survey.
Results: Results from this study not only identified barriers to a plant-based eating pattern, but significant findings related to anthropometrics.
The study results showed a significant improvement in blood pressure, abdominal circumference, and weight (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Findings suggest that receiving weekly nutrition education, support, and resources to incorporate plant-based eating is a behavioral change that can decrease blood pressure, weight, and abdominal circumference in 4 weeks. Working with a health practitioner and group support eased personal and social barriers to following plant-based eating to help patients achieve their goals.
