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BackgroundColor groups of fruits and vegetables (FV) are part of a healthy diet, but evidence for an association with cardiometabolic outcomes is inconsistent.ObjectiveTo examine the association between intake of FV of different colors with incident diabetes and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos.Subjects/methodsWe used data from 9206 adults ages 18-74 years who were free of diabetes at baseline (2008-2011) and had follow-up data at visit 2 (2014-2017) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a multicenter, prospective cohort study of self-identified Hispanics/Latinos. Dietary intake was assessed using two 24 h recalls at baseline. FV were categorized into five color groups: green, white, yellow/orange, red/purple, and uncategorized. Diabetes was defined based on laboratory measures and self-reported antihyperglycemic medication. We used survey logistic regression models to evaluate the association between FV color groups and incident diabetes and survey linear regression models to evaluate the association of FV color groups with cardiometabolic risk biomarkers at visit 2.ResultsDuring ~6 years of follow-up, 970 incident cases of diabetes were documented. The red/purple FV color group was the least consumed (0.21 servings/day), whereas white FV were the most consumed (0.92 servings/day). For each serving of total FV intake, body mass index (BMI) was lower by 0.24% (p = 0.03) and insulin by 0.69% (p = 0.03). For each serving of red/purple FV intake, HDL was 1.59% higher (p = 0.04). For each serving of white FV intake (with potato), post-OGTT was 0.83% lower (p = 0.04) and triglycerides 1.43% lower (p = 0.04). There was no association between FV intake and incident diabetes.ConclusionsSpecific FV colors were associated with cardiometabolic benefits though the associations were of relatively small magnitudes. Dietary recommendations could consider varying colors of FV intake, especially white and red/purple color groups, for a healthy diet.

This study is the first social validity evaluation of the Spanish version of the "FRIENDS for Life" program with Mexican children. "FRIENDS for Life" is a cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at increasing social and emotional competence and decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms in children. The program is designed to empower children and families by teaching relaxation techniques, coping and interpersonal skills, and positive thinking. Participants were 498 students, ages 9 to 11. Upon completion of the program, students, parents, and teachers were surveyed regarding their perceptions on the utility and enjoyability, and their global satisfaction. Results indicate that students, parents, and teachers evaluate the program as helpful and enjoyable. Gender differences were found, girls reported the program as more useful and enjoyable than boys. The skill that students and parents found more useful was changing negative thoughts into positive, and positive correlations were also found between level of satisfaction and outcome measures.

Hispanics of Mexican descent have disproportionate rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this work is to investigate the association between the traditional Mexican diet score (tMexS) and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, two NAFLD-related clinical endpoints, in Hispanic adults of Mexican descent. Data from 280 Hispanic adults of Mexican descent (n = 102 men, 178 women) with overweight or obesity enrolled in a cross-sectional observational study were analyzed. The tMexS was calculated from 24 h dietary recalls. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis measurements were assessed using transient elastography (Fibroscan®). Linear regression models testing the association between tMexS and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were run individually and through the stratification of significant modifiers. Mean tMexS were 5.9 ± 2.1, hepatic steatosis scores were 288.9 ± 48.9 dB/m, and fibrosis scores were 5.6 ± 2.2 kPa. Among the US-born group, with every point increase in the tMexS, there was a statistically significant 5.7 lower hepatic steatosis point (95% CI: −10.9, −0.6, p-value = 0.07). Higher adherence to a traditional Mexican diet was associated with lower hepatic steatosis in US-born Hispanics of Mexican descent. Findings from the current work may serve to inform future culturally relevant interventions for NAFLD prevention and management in individuals of Mexican descent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The interrelationships among the gut microbiome, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), and a clinical endpoint of diabetes is unknown. Objective: To identify gut microbial features of a MedDiet and examine whether the association between MedDiet and diabetes varies across individuals with different gut microbial profiles. Methods: This study included 543 diabetic, 805 prediabetic, and 394 normoglycemic participants from a cohort study of USA Hispanic/Latino men and women. Fecal samples were profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Adherence to MedDiet was evaluated by an index based on 2 24-hour dietary recalls. Results: A greater MedDiet adherence was associated with higher abundances of major dietary fiber metabolizers (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, false-discoveryrate-adjusted P [q] = 0.01), and lower abundances of biochemical specialists (e.g., Parabacteroides, q = 0.04). The gut microbiomes of participants with greater MedDiet adherence were enriched for functions involved in dietary fiber degradation but depleted for those related to sulfur reduction and lactose and galactose degradation. The associations between MedDiet adherence and diabetes prevalence were significantly stronger among participants with depleted abundance of Prevotella (pinteraction = 0.03 for diabetes, 0.02 for prediabetes/diabetes, and 0.02 for prediabetes). A 1-SD deviation increment in the MedDiet index was associated with 24% (odds ratio [OR] 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98) and 7% (OR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.72-1.20) lower odds of diabetes in Prevotella noncarriers and carriers, respectively. Conclusion: Adherence to MedDiet is associated with diverse gut microorganisms and microbial functions. The inverse association between the MedDiet and diabetes prevalence varies significantly depending on gut microbial composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diminished diet quality in the Caribbean and other island settings may be related to a dietary transition from local foods towards imported products. The current study aimed to characterise the association between intentionally purchasing local foods (IPLF) and diet quality in Puerto Rico (PR).Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Primary care clinics in the PR metropolitan area.Participants: Data were obtained from adult participants (30-75 years; n 243) of the Puerto Rico Assessment of Diet, Lifestyle, and Diseases. IPLF was probed by asking: 'How often do you purposely purchase foods from PR (like fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that are produced on the island rather than being imported)?' Dietary intake was measured using a FFQ, and diet quality was assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (range 0-110; higher scores indicating higher diet quality). Multivariate-adjusted generalised linear models tested the association between IPLF and Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI) and its component scores.Results: A third (33·9 %) of participants reported seldom, 33·5 % reported often and 30·6 % reported always IPLF. Compared with seldom IPLF, fully adjusted mean AHEI scores were 3·6 (P = 0·038) points higher among those often IPLF and 9·3 (P < 0·0001) points higher among those always IPLF. Compared with seldom IPLF, those who always IPLF had significantly higher fully adjusted mean component scores for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes, trans fat and n-3 fats.Conclusions: Adults in PR who intentionally purchase local foods had higher diet quality, especially for intake of plant-based foods and healthy fats, highlighting potential dietary benefits associated with improved local food availability in PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]