21 Nov Barriers to Healthful Eating Linked to More Rapid Kidney Function Decline
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Deidra Crews
Deidra C. Crews, MD, ScM, FASN, FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
Associate Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Medicine
Director, Doctoral Diversity Program
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore MD 21224
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Studies suggest that dietary patterns influence risk of kidney function decline. Barriers may hinder urban African Americans’ following healthful diets that could mitigate their increased risk of kidney function decline.
In this study, we characterized contextual barriers to healthful eating among urban African Africans with hypertension and examined the association of these barriers to kidney function decline over 1 year. We examined the presence of healthy foods in neighborhood stores of study participants.
We also assessed them for food insecurity (the inability to afford nutritionally adequate and safe foods), directly observed and documented the presence of fruits and vegetables in their homes, and examined their fruit and vegetable intake via questionnaire.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Among urban African Americans with multiple CKD risk factors, contextual barriers to healthful eating were prevalent, including limited availability of healthful foods in neighborhood stores.
Rapid kidney function decline was common and occurred more frequently among those facing greater barriers to healthful eating, thought not statistically significant in this small sample (n=114 with follow up data).
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: The impact of the food environment on kidney function in vulnerable populations for kidney disease warrants further study.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation: ASN 2016 abstract
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on November 21, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD