Consumption of Dietary Guidelines for Americans Types and Amounts of Vegetables Increases Subjective Happiness: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (7th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Leon, Angela; Jahns, Lisa; Roemmich, James; Casperson, Shanon
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 5(2021)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 1266
• Page End: 1266
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab056_004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The health benefits of diets rich in fruits and vegetables (FV) are well established and form the basis of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Furthermore, FV consumption may also exert a positive effect on psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess changes in global subjective happiness when consuming DGA recommended types and amounts of vegetables. It was hypothesized that increased vegetable consumption would increase happiness. Methods: This study investigated secondary outcomes of a randomized, parallel, non-blinded controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio to a provided vegetable intervention or attention control group. Men and women aged 18–65 yr, body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m, 2 with low habitual vegetable consumption (<1 serving/day) were recruited for this community-based study. The vegetable intervention consisted of an 8-week feeding phase during which participants were provided with vegetables in DGA recommended types and amounts. The attention control group was not provided vegetables but completed the same testing schedule as the vegetable intervention group. The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) was used to assess individual perceived happiness before and after the intervention. SHS scores were analyzed using a mixed model analysis of variance both with and without baseline SHS scores as a covariate. Results: A significant interaction between treatment and visit ( P = 0.005) revealed greater happiness at week 8 than at baseline in the vegetable intervention group but no change in the attention control group. When adjusted for baseline scores, a significant effect of treatment ( P = 0.005) was found with greater happiness scores in the vegetable intervention group compared to the attention control group post intervention ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Greater subjective happiness was observed after increasing vegetable consumption to meet DGA recommendations. Funding Sources: USDA-ARS #5450–51, 530-057–00D.