(P14-055-23) Adherence, Body Weight and Quality of Life With Daily Avocado Consumption Among Latina Women of the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT)

Objectives: The primary objective was to examine the feasibility and adherence with daily avocado consumption among Latina female participants in HAT. Secondary objectives were to assess changes in weight, waist circumference, and quality of life measures associated with avocado consumption.

Methods: HAT was a randomized controlled trial conducted between June 2018 and March 2020 that included 1008 participants of at least 25 years of age and with abdominal obesity. Participants in the intervention arm were asked to consume one avocado per day (approx. 2 servings) for 6 months, whereas participants in the control arm were asked to follow their usual diet and lifestyle and to limit their avocado intake to < 2 avocados per month. This analysis consisted of the subset of women who self-identified as Hispanic or Latina. Women who were pregnant, lactating, or trying to get pregnant were excluded. Adherence with avocado consumption was assessed using 3 random 24-hour dietary recalls by research dietitians. Quality of life was assessed by a short form-36 questionnaire.

Results: Within HAT, 158 participants were female that self-identified as Hispanic/Latina. The median age was 42 years (IQR: 36, 54) and 92% had overweight/obesity. Across the random dietary recalls, the intervention group (n=80) consumed between 1.9 – 2.1 avocados, whereas the control group (n=78) consumed between 0.04 – 0.09 servings of avocados/day. At the end of 6 months, participants in the intervention group had a mean weight change of +0.6 (SD=0.4) kg, versus +0.3 (0.4) kg in the control group; the difference was not significant (p=0.60). Waist circumference did not change in both groups. Quality of life measures were also similar for both groups.

Conclusions: Among Hispanic/Latina women, participants in the intervention arm remained adherent with daily avocado consumption for the 6-month study period without a significant change in quality of life and body weight/waist circumference. Further analyses of lab data (e.g., lipid panel) will determine whether daily avocado consumption confers health benefits for this population.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by UCLA’s Graduate Research Mentorship Award and Clinical and Translational Science Institute TL1 Translational Science Fellowship. The HAT study was supported by the Hass Avocado Board.