Effects of Avocado Intake on the Nutritional Status of Families

Specific Aim 1: To determine how avocados are incorporated into the family's dietary pattern and impact selected measures of nutritional status:

• To determine if avocado intake substitutes for, or adds to, other sources of calories in the family diet.
• To determine if avocado intake helps reduce between-meal snacking of family members.
• To determine if avocados help families meet US Dietary Guidelines for recommended intake of: poly- and monounsaturated fats; vegetables; fiber; selected nutrients (vitamins C, D and E, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, potassium, iron); lutein and other carotenoids.

Specific aim 2: To determine if increased avocado intake affects cardio-metabolic risk factors to include lipids, glucose, insulin, and HbA1c.

Inclusion criteria

• Be part of a family that consists of at least 3 individuals, but no more than 8, who reside in the same home
• Self-identify as Latino or Hispanic
• Be older than 5 years of age

Exclusion criteria

• Families with members who have clinically severe chronic diseases requiring specific diets (e.g. stage IV congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis)
• Those allergic to avocados
• Those with LATEX allergy
• Families who are already high consumers of avocados (i.e. more than 1 avocado per adult and more than ½ avocado per child per day);
• Those who are unwilling to eat avocados.
• Family members with nursing or pregnant females or females planning to become pregnant
• Family members under the age of 5 years will not be counted toward the number of family members who will be expected to participate in the intervention (i.e., adhere to healthy diet tips or consume avocados)
• Families intending to move, or which include family members intending to move, within the next 6 months