Why is this study being done?
This is a follow-up study for previous Eating Patterns and Activity Study participants who are now between the ages of 18 and 28. This study focuses on late adolescence/emerging adulthood. This is a critical period when physical maturity is largely complete, but biopsychosocial risk factors that have long-term implications for cardiovascular disease emerge. A better understanding of the social, biological, and psychological factors contributing to racial/ethnic disparities in early vascular aging before cardiovascular disease symptom manifestation will help identify high-risk groups for primary prevention efforts. Hopefully, the information will help in the development of more “personalized,” ethnically-sensitive interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease in women.
What does the study involve?
- Visit 1: You’ll participate in interviews and questionnaires. Then, you will be asked to provide a small blood sample by finger prick.
- Visit 2 (home visit): You’ll be asked to wear a watch-like device on your wrist for 1 week, which will record your activity. You’ll also be asked to wear a blood pressure monitoring device for a 26-hour period and participate in phone interviews about your eating patterns.
- The following assessments can be completed at Visit 1 or an additional study visit: Provide a blood sample and small hair sample, participate in a scan that measures body composition, and participate in an assessment that measures heart rate, arterial stiffness, and blood flow. Additionally, you’ll be asked to complete an ultrasound of your heart, which will take place at CHOC.
CHOC Carotid Artery Ultrasound Assessment:
This study also consists of one assessment at UCI Medical Center. The carotid artery measurement involves an ultrasound of your carotid arteries on each side of your neck and looks at the thickness of the inner and middle layers.
This assessment is part of the CVD study but is supported by CHOC.
You will be compensated up to $400 for completing all study assessments, as well as compensation for mileage to/from study visits.
If you previously participated in the Eating Patterns and Activity Study, are now 18 years old or over, and are interested in participating in the CVD Study, please email us at broadlab@uci.edu or call or text us at (949) 445-6254!