Intra-abdominal FatHATNCT03528031

Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial

A study testing Intervention Daily Avocado in people with Intra-abdominal Fat and Metabolic Syndrome, run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences at 4 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

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Trial summary

The Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial will evaluate the effects of providing one avocado per day for recommended consumption over a 6 month period in a cohort of approximately 1000 free-living participants with increased waist circumference in comparison with a control group that will maintain their habitual diets. Read more about this study

Who is it for?: Ages 25 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for: Intra-abdominal Fat, Metabolic Syndrome, High Cholesterol
What is being tested?: Intervention Daily Avocado
Could I receive a placebo?: No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people: 1,008 participants
Where: 4 sitesUnited States
Study dates: 19 Jun 2018to 30 Oct 2020
Phase: Interventional

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

Ages 25 years and older
All sexes
Healthy volunteers accepted
Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

Increased waist circumference defined as ≥35 inches for women, ≥40 inches for men
At least 25 years old at screening
Not currently eating more than 2 avocados per month (habitual intake in U.S.)

Who cannot join

Does not eat avocados
Sensitive / allergic to avocados
Allergies to latex or oral allergy syndrome
Not willing or unable to undergo MRI scans
Unstable medical condition such as on dialysis for renal disease, cardiac, gastrointestinal, or hepatic disease, cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer >5 years ago acceptable, any cancer site >10yrs without recurrence).
Pregnant, lactating, intention of pregnancy

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Lost or gained 10 lbs of body weight in last year
Following restricted or weight loss dietary patterns
Unstable anti-anxiety / anti-depressive / anti-psychotic medication use defined as dose change within last 6 months
Oral steroid use within the last 6 months longer than 7 days
Elevated alcohol intake (7+ drinks/week females; 14+ drinks/week males)
Participation in another clinical intervention trial within 30 days of baseline
PI judgment

Trial locations and contacts

4 sites in 1 country.

United States4 sites

Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California, 92354
University of California Los Angles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, 90095
Pennysylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802

Other trials in United States

About this study

Read the detailed description

Preliminary evidence suggests that consumption of avocados can modulate body weight, food intake and markers of metabolic syndrome and may reduce visceral adiposity. Visceral adipose tissue is positively correlated with risk of cardiometabolic syndrome that predisposes to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT) aims to investigate an impactful outcome (visceral fat reduction) in a relevant population (Americans with an increased weight circumference) with a reasonable lifestyle modification (consumption of 1 avocado per day). HAT will evaluate the effect of providing one avocado per day for consumption over a 6 month period on established health parameters, including visceral adiposity, hepatic lipid content, markers of metabolic syndrome and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) when compared to a habitual diet. Blood specimens will be drawn and analyzed for fasting total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, glucose, insulin, hsCRP and RBC fatty acid profiles. Two non-contrast MRIs will be performed (at screening to assess eligibility and final participant visit 8 for randomized participants) to assess the volume of visceral adipose tissue and hepatic fat fraction. Four 24-hour dietary recalls will be conducted for study participants to capture dietary intake data. Questionnaires include the following: health and demographic including eating habits and physical activity; diet, food and avocado satisfaction (intervention group only); quality of life; and quality of sleep.

Conditions: Intra-abdominal Fat, Metabolic Syndrome, High Cholesterol, Triglycerides High, Diet Habit, High Blood Sugar
Being tested: Intervention Daily Avocado
Medical subject headings: Metabolic Syndrome, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, Feeding Behavior, Hyperglycemia, Fatty Liver, Hypoalphalipoproteinemias, Cardiovascular Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Intervention Daily AvocadoOther
Participants follow their usual diet and lifestyle but also are provided with 1 avocado to consume per day for 6 months.

Study groups in NCT03528031
Study group	Role	What they receive
Intervention Daily Avocado	Experimental	Participants will follow their usual diet and lifestyle but also be provided with 1 avocado to consume per day for 6 months. To maximize compliance, participants will be provided with resources on how to choose, store and ripen avocados along with simple usage ideas. Specific nutrition guidance will not be provided. Participants will pick up fresh avocados every 2 weeks with minimal interaction with study personnel. Compliance visits will be conducted monthly. Receives: Other: Intervention Daily Avocado
Control Usual Diet and Lifestyle	No intervention	Participants will be instructed to follow their usual diet and lifestyle. Participants will be allowed to consume up to 2 avocados per month, but avocado consumption will not be encouraged and no avocados will be provided. Compliance visits will be conducted monthly.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Visceral adiposity
Non-contrast MRI scans will be performed to assess the volume of visceral adipose tissue. The outcome will be pre-post difference, compare the estimated mean change from baseline to follow-up in the 2 randomized groups with all tests of group differences performed according to the intent to treat.
Measured: Visit 1 (Screening, -2 to 0 weeks) and Visit 8 (26 weeks)

Secondary outcomes (12)

Hepatic lipid content
Non-contrast MRI scans will be performed to assess hepatic lipid content/hepatic fat fraction.
Measured: Visit 1 (Screening, -2 to 0 weeks and Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Metabolic syndrome markers (serum triglycerides, serum cholesterol, fasting serum glucose, fasting insulin)
Phlebotomy is performed after a minimum 8 hour fast. Specimens will be separated and aliquoted, and shipped for analysis to Tufts University site for: fasting total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipo-protein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose and insulin. LDL will be calculated using the Friedewald equation unless fasting triglyceride levels are > 400 mg/dL in which case they will be measured using a direct LDL assay. There will be a comparison of the estimated mean change from baseline to follow-up with all tests of group differences performed according to intent to treat.
Measured: Visit 2 (Baseline visit 0 weeks), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that the liver makes when there is inflammation in the body. Also called a marker of inflammation and can be measured with the hs-CRP test. Inflamed arteries puts individuals at greater risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. A fasting sample will be obtained, shipped to and analyzed at Tufts University for hsCRP.
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline/randomization, Week 0), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Red blood cell (RBC) monounsaturated fat/polyunsaturated fat (MUFA/PUFA) ratio
Fasting RBC specimens shipped to Tufts University for analysis of RBC fatty acid profiles. The Fatty Acid Profile measures major fatty acids found in red blood cells.
Measured: Visit 2 (Baseline/Randomization Visit, 0 weeks), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Blood pressure
Seated blood pressure will be measured at each visit (except the screening visit) utilizing automated devices as per a standardized protocol across all sites. Three measurements will be taken after a 5 minute rest period, 1 minute apart. The last two readings are averaged for analysis.
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline/randomization 0 weeks) Visit 3 (4 weeks), Visit 4 (8 weeks), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 6 (16 weeks), Visit 7 (10 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Weight
Participants will be weighed at all in-study visits using high quality digital scales commonly used in clinical practice and that are in good working order. Participants will be weighed in light street clothes without shoes. The same scale is used throughout the trial.
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline/randomization), Visit 5 (12 weeks) and Visit 8 (26 weeks-final)
Waist circumference
A measuring tape specifically designed for waist circumference (recommended brands include Gulick or Seca) will be used according to a standardized procedure outlined in the trial Manual of Procedures. Waist circumference will be used during screening to assess eligibility. Measurements will be taken against the skin at the approximate midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest. Two measurements are obtained at each visit and averaged.
Measured: Visit 1 (screening -2 to 0 weeks), Visit 2 (baseline/randomization 0 weeks), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Diet, Food and Avocado Satisfaction
Questions regarding participant satisfaction with the diet and food intervention will be assessed by completing the Diet, Food and Avocado Satisfaction Questionnaire. The questionnaire will only be completed by participants randomized to consume one avocado a day. The questionnaire is completed within 24 hours of a clinic visit and can be self- or staff administered. It consists of 14 questions about eating and preparing avocados each having a 100 point Likert scale with responses of "Not at all" and "Extremely".
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline/randomization, 0 weeks), Visit 5 (12 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)
Quality of life RAND 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36)
All participants will complete the RAND (research and development) 36-Item Health Survey to assess 8 health concepts: physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue and general health perceptions.All items are scored so that a high score defines more favorable health state. Each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100. Items in the same scale are averaged together to create 8 scale scores. Items that are left blank are not taken into account when calculating scale scores.
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline), Visit 5 (12 weeks) and Visit 8 (26 weeks-final)
Quality of Life RAND 20-Item Short Form Survey (SF-20)
The 20-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-20) was designed to reduce respondent burden while achieving minimum standards of precision for purposes of group comparisons involving multiple health dimensions. It includes 7 items to assess physical functioning, 2 items on role functioning, 1 social functioning survey item, 5 items to assess mental health, 4 items on current health perceptions and 1 item on pain. Participants in the control group will complete the RAND 20-Item Short Form Survey.
Measured: Visit 3 (4 weeks), Vist 4 (8 weeks) Visit 6 (16 weeks), Visit 7 (20 weeks)
Sleep quality
All participants will complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) which is a self-rated questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time time interval. 19 individual items generate seven "component" scores: subjective sleep quality; sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication and daytime dysfunction. The sum of scores for the 7 components yield one global score.
Measured: Visit 2 (baseline), Visit 5 (12 weeks) and Visit 8 (26 weeks-final)
24-hour diet recall
Four 24-hour dietary recalls will be conducted for each study participant during the course of the study. The goal for the 3 intra-study recalls is to capture intake data for 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day for each participant. The recalls are collected and analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) software Vs 2017. The Loma Linda University site and Tufts University will be responsible for collecting 50% each of the 24 hour recalls across all study sites. They will follow a standardized manual of procedures for dietary data collection and dietary data management. Outcome data from NDSR will include daily estimated energy and nutrient intake, as well as food, food group and dietary supplement data.
Measured: Visit 1 (screening, -2 to 0 weeks), Visit 4 (8 weeks), visit 6 (16 weeks), Visit 8 (26 weeks)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

19 Jun 201830 Oct 2020

First posted17 May 2018
Study start19 Jun 2018
Primary completion16 Oct 2020
Study completion30 Oct 2020

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Publications (20)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
Other trials for Intra-abdominal FatStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase N/A
Primary purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Model description: This clinical trial aims to assess the effect of providing one avocado per day on established parameters of health in comparison with a control group maintaining their habitual diets. Participants are pre-screened over the telephone initially to assess eligibility and likelihood of compliance. For those that remain eligible, additional screening is conducted at a study visit. Participants' eligibility is confirmed by the data entry system on the trial website when the Inclusion/Exclusion form is complete and entered. Randomization is performed automatically by the data entry system using a block design and stratified by site. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two equally sized groups. Neither participants nor staff will be blinded to intervention assignment. Both groups are instructed to continue to follow their habitual diet but the intervention group will receive one avocado per day. Participants are followed for outcomes for a six-month period.
Masking: None (open label)
Enrolment: 1,008 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03528031
Sponsor's protocol ID: IRB00047011
Acronym: HAT
Status last verified: Jun 2021
First submitted: 4 May 2018
Last updated: 22 Mar 2023
Results posted: No
Data monitoring committee: No
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: Yes: Investigators may wish to perform ancillary studies using the HAT population, samples or other collected data. All ancillary studies must be approved by the HAT Steering Committee before being allowed access to study participant, samples or the database. De-identified individual participant data for all primary and secondary outcome measures will be made available to participating sites and for at the end of the study and for public use databases.

Publications

Berryman CE, West SG, Fleming JA, Bordi PL, Kris-Etherton PM. Effects of daily almond consumption on cardiometabolic risk and abdominal adiposity in healthy adults with elevated LDL-cholesterol: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2015 Jan 5;4(1):e000993. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.000993.
PubMed 25559009
Bertoli S, Leone A, Vignati L, Bedogni G, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Bes-Rastrollo M, Spadafranca A, Vanzulli A, Battezzati A. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with visceral abdominal tissue in Caucasian subjects. Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;34(6):1266-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2015.10.003. Epub 2015 Oct 20.
PubMed 26499033
Cespedes Feliciano EM, Tinker L, Manson JE, Allison M, Rohan T, Zaslavsky O, Waring ME, Asao K, Garcia L, Rosal M, Neuhouser ML. Change in Dietary Patterns and Change in Waist Circumference and DXA Trunk Fat Among Postmenopausal Women. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Oct;24(10):2176-84. doi: 10.1002/oby.21589. Epub 2016 Aug 22.
PubMed 27548405
Dhillon J, Tan SY, Mattes RD. Almond Consumption during Energy Restriction Lowers Truncal Fat and Blood Pressure in Compliant Overweight or Obese Adults. J Nutr. 2016 Dec;146(12):2513-2519. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.238444. Epub 2016 Nov 2.
PubMed 27807041
Estruch R, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Salas-Salvado J, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Covas MI, Fiol M, Gomez-Gracia E, Lopez-Sabater MC, Vinyoles E, Aros F, Conde M, Lahoz C, Lapetra J, Saez G, Ros E; PREDIMED Study Investigators. Effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Jul 4;145(1):1-11. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-145-1-200607040-00004.
PubMed 16818923
Gower BA, Goss AM. A lower-carbohydrate, higher-fat diet reduces abdominal and intermuscular fat and increases insulin sensitivity in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes. J Nutr. 2015 Jan;145(1):177S-83S. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.195065. Epub 2014 Dec 3.
PubMed 25527677
Paniagua JA, Gallego de la Sacristana A, Romero I, Vidal-Puig A, Latre JM, Sanchez E, Perez-Martinez P, Lopez-Miranda J, Perez-Jimenez F. Monounsaturated fat-rich diet prevents central body fat distribution and decreases postprandial adiponectin expression induced by a carbohydrate-rich diet in insulin-resistant subjects. Diabetes Care. 2007 Jul;30(7):1717-23. doi: 10.2337/dc06-2220. Epub 2007 Mar 23.
PubMed 17384344
Ross R, Rissanen J, Pedwell H, Clifford J, Shragge P. Influence of diet and exercise on skeletal muscle and visceral adipose tissue in men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1996 Dec;81(6):2445-55. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1996.81.6.2445.
PubMed 9018491
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report. Circulation. 2002 Dec 17;106(25):3143-421. No abstract available.
PubMed 12485966
Wien M, Haddad E, Oda K, Sabate J. A randomized 3x3 crossover study to evaluate the effect of Hass avocado intake on post-ingestive satiety, glucose and insulin levels, and subsequent energy intake in overweight adults. Nutr J. 2013 Nov 27;12:155. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-155.
PubMed 24279738
O'Neil, et al. Avocado consumption by adults is associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality and some measures of adiposity: NHANES Survey, 2001-2012. Int Med Rev In press.
LeBeau K, Segovia-Siapco G, Heskey C, Clarke A, Oda K, Sirirat R, Rice DR, Sabate J, Matthan NR, Gilhooly CH, Petersen KS, Kris-Etherton P, Li Z, Reboussin DM, Rajaram S. The Effect of Including 1 Avocado Daily in a Habitual Diet on the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load in Free-Living Adults with Overweight/Obesity. Curr Dev Nutr. 2026 Apr 8;10(5):107690. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107690. eCollection 2026 May.
PubMed 42087898
Matthan NR, Duscova E, Matuszek G, Zhang W, Kris-Etherton PM, Petersen KS, Rajaram S, Li Z, Reboussin DM, Sabate J, Lichtenstein AH. Serum Metabolite Profiles in Adults With Abdominal Obesity in Response to Consuming 1 Avocado Daily for 6 Months: An Exploratory Analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2026 Mar 17;15(6):e044144. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.125.044144. Epub 2026 Mar 13.
PubMed 41823253
Damani JJ, Kris-Etherton PM, Lichtenstein AH, Matthan NR, Sabate J, Li Z, Reboussin D, Petersen KS. Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Cardiovascular Health Assessed by Life's Essential 8: An Ancillary Study of HAT, a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025 Mar 4;14(5):e039130. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.039130. Epub 2025 Feb 19.
PubMed 39968784
Clarke AE, LeBeau KS, Oda K, Segovia-Siapco G, Paalani M, Reboussin DM, Lichtenstein AH, Rajaram S, Sabate J. The Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Food and Nutrient Displacement in a Free-Living Population with Abdominal Obesity. Curr Dev Nutr. 2024 Aug 27;8(10):104451. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104451. eCollection 2024 Oct.
PubMed 39886351