Cooking Intervention for Heart Disease

Overseen By Stephanie L Wildridge, R.N.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Not in Wards 7/8, No CVD risk, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

55 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore whether a community-based cooking program can improve cooking and eating habits among African American adults at risk for heart disease. Participants will join cooking events led by a chef and receive guidance from health professionals to determine if these activities positively impact their home-cooking behaviors. The trial seeks African American residents of Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C., who have at least one self-reported risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to community health improvements and personal well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on cooking and dietary habits rather than medication use.

What prior data suggests that this cooking intervention is safe?

Research shows that cooking programs are generally safe and well-received. One study found that a home cooking program increased participants' confidence in preparing vegetables, with no negative effects reported. Another study on a plant-based cooking program found that participants ate healthier without any safety concerns. Additionally, a review of various "Food Is Medicine" programs showed positive results in managing chronic diseases, with no major safety issues. These findings suggest that community cooking programs are safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Cooking Intervention for heart disease because it offers a unique approach by focusing on dietary habits rather than medication or surgery. Unlike traditional treatments such as statins or beta-blockers, which are commonly used to manage heart disease by controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, this intervention emphasizes teaching participants how to prepare heart-healthy meals. The hands-on cooking experience aims to empower individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease through improved nutrition. This approach highlights the role of lifestyle modifications as a powerful tool in preventing and managing heart conditions, offering a holistic and proactive alternative to conventional medical treatments.

What evidence suggests that this cooking intervention is effective for reducing heart disease risk?

Research has shown that learning to cook can improve heart health by promoting better eating habits. One study found that a home cooking program increased confidence in preparing vegetables, which is crucial for a heart-healthy diet. Another study demonstrated that a plant-based cooking program improved the diets of individuals at risk for heart disease. Additionally, hands-on cooking classes have proven to enhance cooking skills and improve eating habits. These findings suggest that learning to cook healthy meals could help reduce the risk of heart disease. Participants in this trial will engage in a Cooking Intervention to explore its impact on heart health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nicole M Farmer, M.D.

Principal Investigator

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American adults living in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C., who are at least 18 years old and have risk factors for heart disease like high waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension or prehypertension, prediabetes, overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25), high cholesterol, or elevated fasting glucose. Participants must speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

You reside in Wards 7 or 8 in Washington, D.C.

The study is looking for 20 African American adults who live in Wards 7 or 8 of Washington, D.C. to participate in this phase.

My BMI is 25 or higher, indicating I am overweight or obese.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Phase I

Participants complete a survey and take part in a focus group discussing their eating habits and food availability.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Phase II

Participants attend weekly shared cooking events led by a trained chef, undergo physical exams, blood draws, interviews, and complete questionnaires.

18 weeks

6 visits (in-person for cooking events), 3 visits (in-person at NIH Clinical Center)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cooking behaviors, diet quality, and CVD biomarkers.

8 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cooking Intervention

Trial Overview The study aims to understand cooking behaviors among African Americans at risk for heart disease and test if a community-based cooking program led by a trained chef can improve home-cooking habits. The intervention includes weekly shared cooking events over six weeks with additional health assessments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: 1/All Subjects Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Second phase participants

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Lead Sponsor

Trials

391

Recruited

30,880,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Community-based cooking skill interventions significantly boost adults' confidence in their cooking abilities, regardless of age or setting.

While these programs show some positive effects on increasing fruit and vegetable intake, the evidence is inconsistent, highlighting the need for better study designs and long-term evaluations to fully understand their impact on dietary habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community Interventions to Improve Cooking Skills and Their Effects on Confidence and Eating Behaviour. Garcia, AL., Reardon, R., McDonald, M., et al.[2022]

A pilot study involving 104 low-income parents showed that a home-based cooking intervention significantly increased their confidence in preparing vegetables and encouraged them to try a variety of vegetables, with 96% participation in activities.

Most home visitors found the cooking intervention acceptable and feasible, suggesting that home visiting programs could effectively improve vegetable consumption attitudes and behaviors among families, although further research is needed to evaluate actual changes in vegetable intake.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Cooking Intervention to Increase Vegetable Consumption by Parents With Children Enrolled in an Early Head Start Home Visiting Program: A Pilot Study in Portland, Oregon, 2013-2014. Izumi, BT., Eckhardt, CL., Wilson, DP., et al.[2019]

The Pawtucket Heart Health Program successfully implemented community-wide nutrition programs aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors, including initiatives like the Heart Healthy Cook-Off for students.

In a specific junior high school class, students who participated in the cook-off experienced a significant 10.7% reduction in cholesterol levels, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in promoting healthier eating habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Pawtucket Heart Health Program. Influencing adolescent eating patterns. Carleton, RA., Sennett, L., Gans, KM., et al.[2019]

A community-based cooking program significantly improved participants' cooking confidence and self-efficacy, which are important for encouraging healthier eating habits.

The program aimed to enhance food literacy and was designed to assess its impact on physical health and well-being, potentially helping to combat obesity and diet-related diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The study protocol for a pseudo-randomised pre-post designed controlled intervention trial to study the effects of a 7-week cooking program on self-efficacy and biomarkers of health: the ECU lifestyle and biomarkers get connected study (ECULABJMOF) including the Jamie's Ministry of Food WA participant experience. Rees, J., Christophersen, CC., Lewis, JR., et al.[2020]

This study aims to evaluate a 6-week cooking intervention for African-American adults in an urban food desert, focusing on its acceptability and feasibility, as well as its impact on cooking behavior and dietary quality.

The research will assess both clinical biomarkers related to cardiovascular health and psychosocial factors, providing a comprehensive look at how cooking interventions can influence health outcomes in communities facing food access challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A community feasibility study of a cooking behavior intervention in African-American adults at risk for cardiovascular disease: DC COOKS (DC Community Organizing for Optimal culinary Knowledge Study) with Heart. Farmer, N., Powell-Wiley, TM., Middleton, KR., et al.[2022]

The Community Culinary Coaching Program led to significant increases in the purchase of healthier food options, such as fish (+115%), whole grains, and legumes (+77%), while reducing purchases of unhealthy items like processed beef (-55%) and margarine (-100%).

Residents expressed positive feedback and recommended the continuation of the program, indicating its effectiveness in improving nutrition within communal settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Adherence to Mediterranean-Style Diet With a Community Culinary Coaching Program: Methodology Development and Process Evaluation. Polak, R., Pober, D., Morris, A., et al.[2019]

Culinary interventions, such as cooking classes, did not significantly change cardiometabolic risk factors like body mass index, blood pressure, or LDL cholesterol in a review of 30 studies involving 7381 participants.

However, these interventions were effective in improving participants' attitudes, self-efficacy, and dietary intake, especially when combined with additional components like nutrition education or physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of culinary interventions (cooking classes) on dietary intake and behavioral change: a systematic review and evidence map. Hasan, B., Thompson, WG., Almasri, J., et al.[2022]

A study involving 66 nursing students showed that participatory cooking demonstrations significantly improved their knowledge of nutrition and cooking skills, with a statistical significance of P < 0.0001.

The majority of participants reported enhanced self-efficacy in healthy cooking practices and nutritional care, with 80% agreeing that the demonstrations helped them learn effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participatory cooking demonstrations: A distinctive learning approach towards positive health. Ali, SI., Begum, J., Badusha, M., et al.[2023]

A review of 34 studies involving cooking interventions for adults found that these programs generally led to positive changes in dietary behaviors, particularly increasing fruit and vegetable intake and enhancing cooking confidence.

Despite the positive outcomes, many studies lacked control groups and follow-up assessments, highlighting the need for improved study designs and validated assessment tools in future research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Cooking and Home Food Preparation Interventions Among Adults: A Systematic Review (2011-2016). Reicks, M., Kocher, M., Reeder, J.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7574184/

A community feasibility study of a cooking behavior ... This study seeks to demonstrate feasibility of a community-based cooking intervention and to provide necessary information to plan future interventions.

2. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/7/1132

Plant-Based Culinary Medicine Intervention Improves ... Virtual whole-food, plant-based vegan culinary medicine randomized crossover trial improves diet quality in patients at risk for heart disease.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-cardiovascular-diseases-1-2021-51e75

Cooking Intervention for Heart Disease A pilot study involving 104 low-income parents showed that a home-based cooking intervention significantly increased their confidence in preparing vegetables ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9825116/

A Community-Based Nutrition and Culinary Intervention The aim of this study was to determine if nutrition education and hands-on cooking classes will result in improvement in eating habits and cooking skills to ...

5. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001343

A Systematic Review of “Food Is Medicine” Randomized ... This review identified a total of 14 randomized controlled trials of Food Is Medicine interventions in the United States with noncommunicable disease outcomes.