MIND Diet and Exercise Study

Research Participants Needed

Purpose of the Study:

• To test whether a novel diet and exercise protocol improves blood pressure, heart health, and sleep in individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure) and overweight/obesity

Who is Eligible?

To take part in this research study, you must be:

• Age 18 to 74 years old
• Overweight or class I/II obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] = 25.0 – 39.9 kg/m2)
• Clinically diagnosed hypertension (high blood pressure) with or without current medication use
• Physically inactive or sedentary – do not currently exercise regularly
• No current injury, illness, or joint issue that prevents participation in exercise

What Do I Have to Do as a Research Participant?

• Complete initial screening, baseline testing, and post-intervention testing (pre-screening surveys, consent + medical history, assessment of blood pressure, body composition, fitness)
• Follow the prescribed dietary protocol (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay [MIND] diet + supplements) and come to the TWU Houston campus for supervised exercise training (3 days per week) for 4 weeks

Time Commitment:

• The total study time commitment is 15 hours
• This includes a screening visit + before and after study testing visits (6 hours total)
• 3 days per week of supervised exercise training for 4 weeks (9 hours total)

Compensation:

• $250 in gift cards to buy study foods and parking reimbursement
• $300 cash incentive for study completion
• In addition, research participants receive free study foods and supplements, 4 weeks of supervised exercise training, and free assessments of body composition and fitness

Interested?

For more information about this research study please contact:

Study PI: Erika Zoellner, MS RDN LD, PhD Candidate in Department of Nutrition, Texas Woman’s University,
Email: Ezoellner@twu.edu, Phone: 281-731-6809
Co-PI: Wesley Tucker, PhD RDN, Assistant Professor in Department of Nutrition, Texas Woman’s University,
Email: WTucker1@twu.edu, Phone: 919-744-0532
Study Co-I: Sean Savitz, MD, Professor of Neurology, Director of the Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease at UT Health Houston.
Study Co-I: Seema Aggarwal, PhD, Assistant Professor in Cizik School of Nursing in the Department of Research at UT Health Houston.

Risks & Disclaimers: “Participation in this study is voluntary. There is a potential risk of loss of confidentiality in all email, downloading, electronic meetings, and internet transactions.”