LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS ON CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK REDUCTION IN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

Abstract

This study investigated the longitudinal impact of structured nutritional interventions on cardiometabolic risk reduction among middle-aged adults, emphasizing the comparative efficacy of Low-Glycemic Index (LGI), Mediterranean, and DASH dietary patterns. Employing a mixed-methods experimental design, 180 participants were monitored over a 12-month period through quantitative biochemical assessments and qualitative behavioral evaluations. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three diet groups and underwent periodic assessments measuring fasting glucose, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and inflammatory biomarkers. Statistical analyses using repeated-measures ANOVA and multivariate regression revealed significant reductions in fasting glucose (−15.8%), LDL cholesterol (−18.6%), triglycerides (−12.3%), and systolic blood pressure (−7.9%), with corresponding increases in HDL cholesterol (+9.4%). The Mediterranean and DASH diet groups demonstrated the greatest overall improvement in cardiometabolic indices, while adherence level emerged as a key predictor of physiological outcomes. Qualitative findings indicated that participants reported improved energy, mood stability, and food-related self-efficacy, reinforcing the behavioral sustainability of dietary adherence. The integrated results confirmed that dietary intervention, when reinforced through behavioral support, yields multi-dimensional benefits encompassing metabolic, vascular, and psychological health. These outcomes suggest that evidence-based nutritional frameworks, such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets, provide effective and scalable strategies for mitigating chronic disease progression in at-risk adult populations. The study concludes that longitudinal, adherence-driven dietary management should be prioritized in clinical and community-based preventive health initiatives