African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD), having the highest death rates from CVD as compared with other racial/ethnic groups. In addition, AAs have the highest rates of obesity as compared to whites and Hispanics. People following plant-based dietary approaches, particularly vegan or vegetarian diets, have lower risks of CVD and lower body weights than omnivores. Vegan and vegetarian diets have been used effectively for weight loss and maintenance and for reversing CVD. Although intervention trials have shown a significant weight-loss and cholesterol-lowering effect of adoption of plant-based diets, to date, most of these large randomized trials have had limited participation from AA participants. AAs tend to lose less weight during behavioral interventions than their white counterparts. In addition, most research has shown that AAs are more likely to discontinue participation in behavioral dietary interventions. This combination of higher attrition and lower weight loss may be due to a failure to address issues that are culturally relevant to the AA population. The goal of our Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) study is to apply these findings in a CVD prevention intervention specifically for AAs living in the southeast U.S. We have developed a partnership with the owners of soul food restaurants in Columbia, SC. These restaurants, which focus on southern cuisine, are owned and operated by local AA families, and will assist with developing culturally-appropriate recipes for our intervention. We will conduct a two-year dietary trial among overweight AA adults (N=130) randomized to follow one of two diets both emphasizing southern food culture and low-glycemic index and low-fat foods: Vegan or Omnivorous (omni) diet. This study will compare the impact of these diet patterns on changes in CVD risk factors, including LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, and body weight. If this intervention proves to be successful at reducing weight and CVD risk factors among AAs, it has the potential to be disseminated through a variety of locations throughout the US, including restaurants, federally qualified health clinics, churches, or neighborhood community centers. To learn more about the NEW Soul study, visit www.NEWSoul.org.

PUBLICATIONS:

Turner-McGrievy, G. M., Wilcox, S., Frongillo, E. A., Murphy, E. A., Hutto, B., Wilson, M., Davey, M., Bernhart, J. A., Okpara, N., Bailey, S., & Hu, E. (2023). Effect of a plant-based vs omnivorous soul food diet on weight and lipid levels among African American adults: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2250626.
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50626
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36633848/

Bernhart, J. A., Fellers, A. W., Turner-McGrievy, G., Wilson, M. J., & Hutto, B. (2022). Socially distanced data collection: Lessons learned using electronic bluetooth scales to assess weight. Health Education & Behavior, 49(5), 765-769.DOI: 10.1177/10901981221104723
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35971569/

Botchway, M., Turner-McGrievy, G. M., Crimarco, A., Wilson, M. J., Davey, M., Wilcox, S., & Frongillo, E. A. (2020). “They eat what they eat, I eat what I eat”: Examining the perspectives and experiences of African Americans who adopt plant-based diets. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(3), 363–373.
DOI: 10.1177/1559827620908850
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35706596/

Okpara, N., Chauvenet, C., Grich, K., Turner-McGrievy, G. (2021). “Food doesn’t have power over me anymore!” Self-efficacy as a driver for dietary adherence among African American adults participating in plant-based and meat-reduced dietary interventions: A qualitative study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, S2212-2672(21), 01432-5. Epub ahead of print.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.10.023.
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34728414/

Bernhart, J.A., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Eustis, S., Wilson, M.J., Hutto, B., Wilcox, S. (2021). Physical activity assessment in African Americans participating in a dietary weight-loss trial focused on soul food. J Public Health (Berl.)
DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01666-z

Turner-McGrievy, G., Halliday, T., Moore, J.B. (2021). COVID-19 messed up my research: Insights from physical activity and nutrition translational research. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 6(4), e000169.
DOI: 10.1249/TJX.0000000000000169
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34693004/

Turner-McGrievy, G., Hutto, B, Bernhart, J.A., Wilson, M.J. (2021). Comparison of the Diet ID platform to the automated self-administered 24-hour (ASA24) dietary assessment tool for assessment of dietary intake. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Mar 11,1-23. Epub ahead of print.
DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2021.1887775
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705267/

Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Wilson, M.J., Bailey, S., Bernhart, J.A., Wilcox, S., Frongillo, E.A., Murphy, E.A., Hutto, B. (2021). Effective recruitment strategies for African-American men and women: the Nutritious Eating with Soul study. Health Education Research, 36(2), 206-211.
DOI: 10.1093/her/cyab003
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33582788

Bernhart, J.A., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Eustis, S.J., Wilson, M.J., Hutto, B., Wilcox, S., Frongillo, E.A., & Murphy, E.A. (2020). Sensor‐measured physical activity is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans. Lifestyle Medicine. Epub ahead of print December 17, 2020.
DOI: 10.1002/lim2.16

Turner-McGrievy, G., Wilcox, S., Frongillo, E.A., Murphy, A., Hutto, B., Williams, K., Crimarco, A., Wilson, M., Davey, M. (2020). The Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) Study: Study design and methods of a two-year randomized trial comparing culturally adapted soul food vegan vs. omnivorous diets among African American adults at risk for heart disease. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 88, 1-9.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.105897
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31743793/

Botchway, M., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Crimarco, A., Wilson, M.J., Davey, M., Wilcox, S., Frongillo, E.A. (2020). “They eat what they eat, I eat what I eat”: Examining the Perspectives and Experiences of African Americans Who Adopt Plant-Based Diets. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Epub ahead of print March 6, 2020.
DOI: 10.1177/1559827620908850