Association Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic/Latino Participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Purpose: To determine whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is associated with incident Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults. Patients and Methods: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a longitudinal observational cohort assessing cardiovascular health among diverse U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults. hsCRP was measured at visit 1 (2008-2011) and classified as low, moderate, or high, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Heart Association (CDC/AHA) guidelines. All MetS components [abdominal obesity, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose] were measured at visit 1 and visit 2 (2014-2017). MetS was defined as the presence of three or more components based on the 2005 definition from the modified Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (modified NCEP ATP III). Participants free of MetS at visit 1 and with complete data on hsCRP and all MetS components were included (n = 6121 participants). We used Poisson regression analysis to determine whether hsCRP was associated with incident MetS after adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors. All analyses accounted for the complex survey design of the study. Results: In fully adjusted models, moderate versus low hsCRP was associated with a 33% increased risk of MetS [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.61], while high versus low hsCRP was associated with a 89% increased risk of MetS (IRR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.58-2.25). Conclusions: Greater levels of hsCRP were associated with new onset of MetS in a diverse sample of U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults. Results suggest that hsCRP may be an independent risk factor for MetS.

Temporal changes in bio-behavioral and glycemic outcomes following a produce prescription program among predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes

In the United States (U.S.), consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits is below recommended levels. Enhancing access to nutritious food through food prescriptions has been recognized as a promising approach to combat diet-related illnesses. However, the effectiveness of this strategy at a large scale remains untested, particularly in marginalized communities where food insecurity rates and the prevalence of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) are higher compared to the background population. This study evaluated the impact of a produce prescription program for predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults living with or at risk of T2D. A total of 303 participants enrolled in a 3-month observational cohort received 21 medically prescribed portions/week of fresh produce. A subgroup of 189 participants used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to assess the relationship between CGM profile changes and HbA1c level changes. For 247 participants completing the study (76% female, 84% Hispanic/Latino, 32% with T2D, age 56·6 ± 11·9 years), there was a reduction in weight (-1·1 [-1·6 to -0·6] lbs., p < 0.001), waist circumference (-0·4 [-1·0 to 0·6] cm, p = 0·007) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) for participants with baseline SBP >120 mmHg (-4·2 [-6·8 to -1·8] mmHg, p = 0·001). For participants with an HbA1c ≥ 7·0% at baseline, HbA1c fell significantly (-0·5 [-0·9 to -0·1] %, p = 0·01). There were also improvements in food security (p < 0·0001), self-reported ratings of sleep, mood, pain (all p < 0·001), and measures of depression (p < 0·0001), anxiety (p = 0·045), and stress (p = 0·002) (DASS-21). There was significant correlation (r = 0·8, p = 0·001) between HbA1c change and the change in average glucose for participants with worsening HbA1c, but not for participants with an improvement in HbA1c. In conclusion, medical prescription of fresh produce is associated with significant improvements in cardio-metabolic and psycho-social risk factors for Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of T2D.

The northeast glucose drift: Stratification of post-breakfast dysglycemia among predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults at-risk or with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

There is minimal experience in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) among underserved racial/ethnic minority populations with or at risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and therefore a lack of CGM-driven insight for these individuals. We analyzed breakfast-related CGM profiles of free-living, predominantly Hispanic/Latino individuals at-risk of T2D, with pre-T2D, or with non-insulin treated T2D.

METHODS

Starting February 2019, 119 participants in Santa Barbara, CA, USA, (93 female, 87% Hispanic/Latino [predominantly Mexican-American], age 54·4 [±12·1] years), stratified by HbA_1c levels into (i) at-risk of T2D, (ii) with pre-T2D, and (iii) with non-insulin treated T2D, wore blinded CGMs for two weeks. We compared valid CGM profiles from 106 of these participants representing glucose response to breakfast using four parameters.

FINDINGS

A "northeast drift" was observed in breakfast glucose responses comparing at-risk to pre-T2D to T2D participants. T2D participants had a significantly higher pre-breakfast glucose level, glucose rise, glucose incremental area under the curve (all p < 0·0001), and time to glucose peak (p < 0·05) compared to pre-T2D and at-risk participants. After adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, pre-breakfast glucose and time to peak (p < 0·0001) were significantly associated with HbA_1c. The model predicted HbA_1c within (0·55 ± 0·67)% of true laboratory HbA_1c values.

INTERPRETATION

For predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults, the average two-week breakfast glucose response shows a progression of dysglycemia from at-risk of T2D to pre-T2D to T2D. CGM-based breakfast metrics have the potential to predict HbA_1c levels and monitor diabetes progression.

FUNDING

US Department of Agriculture (Grant #2018-33800-28404), a seed grant from the industry board fees of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations (PATHS-UP) (Award #1648451), and the Elsevier foundation.

Dysglycemia in adults at risk for or living with non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes: Insights from continuous glucose monitoring

BACKGROUND

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has demonstrable benefits for people living with diabetes, but the supporting evidence is almost exclusively from White individuals with type 1 diabetes. Here, we have quantified CGM profiles in Hispanic/Latino adults with or at-risk of non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

100 participants (79 female, 86% Hispanic/Latino [predominantly Mexican], age 54·6 [±12·0] years) stratified into (i) at risk of T2D, (ii) with pre-diabetes (pre-T2D), and (iii) with non-insulin treated T2D, wore blinded CGMs for 2 weeks. Beyond standardized CGM measures (average glucose, glucose variability, time in 70-140 mg/dL and 70-180 mg/dL ranges), we also examined additional CGM measures based on the time of day.

FINDINGS

Standardized CGM measures were significantly different for participants with T2D compared to at-risk and pre-T2D participants (p<0·0001). In addition, pre-T2D participants spent more time between 140 and 180 mg/dL during the day than at-risk participants (p<0·01). T2D participants spent more time between 140 and 180 mg/dL both during the day and overnight compared to at-risk and pre-T2D participants (both p<0·0001). Time in 70-140 mg/dL range during the day was significantly correlated with HbA_1c (r=-0·72, p<0·0001), after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and waist circumference (p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Standardized CGM measures show a progression of dysglycemia from at-risk of T2D, to pre-T2D, and to T2D. Stratifying CGM readings by time of day and the range 140-180 mg/dL provides additional metrics to differentiate between the groups.

FUNDING

US Department of Agriculture (Grant #2018-33800-28404) and NSF PATHS-UP ERC (Award #1648451).

Diet Quality and Eating Practices among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women: NHANES 2011-2016

Dietary quality of Hispanic/Latino adults residing in homes with children may differ by gender, that in turn, may impact youth through role modeling and food availability. Using a nationally representative sample (n = 1039) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2016), adjusted regression analyses were used to examine food-related practices, food group intake, and dietary quality among Hispanic/Latino men and women in homes with children (6-17 years). Compared to women, men had lower total 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and component HEI scores for healthy food groups. Men also ate more meals that were not home prepared/week and purchased more foods from non-grocery stores than women. Negative food-related practices and working more hours/week may explain in part the lower dietary quality observed among Hispanic/Latino men than women. Interventions may be improved by targeting gender-specific food-related behaviors that could positively impact dietary quality of youth residing with them.

Neighborhood Walkability and Overweight/Obese Weight Status Among Latino Adults

PURPOSE

To examine whether aerobic physical activity mediates the association between neighborhood walkability and overweight/obesity weight status among Latino adults and whether the relative contribution of this pathway linking neighborhood walkability and aerobic activity varies by level of neighborhood social cohesion.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2015.

SAMPLE

NHIS adult Latino participants ≥18 years of age (n = 4303).

MEASURES

Neighborhood walkability, neighborhood social cohesion, body mass index, and aerobic physical activity.

ANALYSIS

To determine whether physical activity mediates the relationship of walkability with overweight/obese weight status, a simple mediation analysis was conducted. Additionally, a moderated mediation analysis was conducted to test whether neighborhood social cohesion had a moderating effect on this relationship.

RESULTS

On average, the sample was 41 years old, 51% were male, 34% had less than a high school education, and 57% were foreign-born. Neighborhood walkability was statistically significantly related to overweight/obese weight status (standardized effect= -0.05, standard error [SE] = 0.02, P = .01). The interaction between walkability and neighborhood social cohesion on physical activity was not significant (standardized effect = 0.06, SE = 0.03, P = .09). Thus, the indirect effect of walkability on overweight/obesity weight status through physical activity was not shown to be modified by neighborhood social cohesion.

CONCLUSION

Other neighborhood environment factors may play a role in the contribution of neighborhood walkability to overweight/obese weight status among Latinos.