New study finds abdominal aortic calcification results do not significantly increase fruit and vegetable intake

A new randomized controlled trial sought to determine whether providing individuals aged 60 to 80 with their abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) results, a marker of vascular disease, would improve their diet did not significantly motivate them to adopt healthier eating habits.

However, the study, “Impact of provision of abdominal aortic calcification results on fruit and vegetable intake: 12-week randomized phase 2 controlled trial,” published in Nature Communications, may improve the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as cholesterol levels and estimated 5-year cardiovascular risk.

“Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease and is often detected before it appears in other arteries like the coronary or carotid arteries. AAC is a significant predictor of both cardiovascular events and overall mortality,” said Douglas P. Kiel, MD, MPH, a Senior Scientist at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. “Our study aimed to determine whether showing AAC results could motivate individuals to make healthier food and lifestyle choices, particularly by increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables, which are known to protect against CVD.”

The participants were randomized into two groups: one group received both their AAC results and educational resources, while the control group received only educational resources on heart health. After 12 weeks, researchers found no significant differences between the groups in their consumption of fruit and vegetables or associated biomarkers. Both groups showed similar improvements in their fruit and vegetable intake, but the provision of AAC results did not enhance these changes.

Importantly, compared to the control group, those who received their AAC results showed improvements in secondary outcomes, including a better lipid profile and a reduced five-year estimated risk of cardiovascular events.

“Providing AAC results did not significantly affect diet quality in the short term – which is not surprising since most people don’t reach healthy diet targets, despite public health messaging. However, our findings may still help individuals better control their cardiovascular risk factors,” Dr. Kiel added. “This is promising, especially for older adults at higher risk for cardiovascular events. It suggests that providing vascular imaging results could be part of a broader strategy to help manage heart disease risk more effectively.”

Conducted in Australia, the study was funded in part by an MRFF Preventive and Public Health grant (631APP1199751 (2020-2023), a Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation Lawrie Beilin Career Advancement Fellowship (ID: CAF 127/2020), the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation Fund (ID: IG2021/5); a Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation Fellowship (RPHRF CAF 00/21), an Emerging Leader Fellowship from the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation Fund; a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant (ID: 1172987), a National Heart Foundation of Australia Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (ID: 102498); an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship at Edith Cowan University; a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (ID: 641102817); and a NHMRC of Australia Senior Research Fellowship (ID 6421116973).

The lead author was Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, PhD, Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia. The senior author was Joshua R. Lewis, PhD, Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University. Dr. Kiel served as a co-investigator on the project.

About Hebrew SeniorLife

Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 4,500 seniors a day across seven campuses throughout Greater Boston. Locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; Jack Satter House, Revere; and Leyland Community, Dorchester. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $98 million, making it one of the largest gerontological research facilities in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 500 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit our website or follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

About the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research
Scientists at the Marcus Institute seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity, and productivity into advanced age. The Marcus Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability, lead to the prevention, treatment, and cure of disease, advance the standard of care for older people, and inform public decision-making.