PROJECT SUMMARY
The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC), is on the rise and disproportionately affecting the health of the Mexican-origin (MO) Hispanic population.
Lifestyle behaviors which promote healthy eating patterns are the cornerstone prevention and treatment for
NAFLD. Yet, epidemiological evidence evaluating dietary patterns, including those consistent with a traditional
Mexican diet, are lacking. Recent analysis of these relationships in postmenopausal Hispanic women support a
potential beneficial role in cancer mortality risk, which warrants further investigation in additional datasets and
advancements using formative research to develop feasible, acceptable and impactful dietary interventions for
NAFLD treatment among MO adults. Further, intervention studies in MO adults has identified barriers for
participant engagement, including transportation, work schedules, and childcare. To build the epidemiological
and intervention evidence related to diet and NAFLD risk in MO Hispanics, and answer the research question of
whether effective dietary interventions can be developed and implemented to reduce the burden of this disease
in the MO Hispanic population, two specific aims will be completed leveraging 1) pre-existing, de-identified data,
from the Liver Ultrasound Nutrigenetic Assessment (LUNA) study in MO adults; and 2) LUNA study resources
and infrastructure, including a subsample of participants to conduct qualitative work focused on knowledge,
attitudes and beliefs of a traditional Mexican diet pattern and intervention delivery modalities, such as mobile
health (mHealth) technology. Importantly, there is an opportunity to engage in formative research work under Dr.
Garcia's (Co-sponsor) NIMHD-funded K01 and semi-structured interviews with Hispanic cancer survivors as part
of Dr. Thomson's (Sponsor) role in the CDC-funded, national Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network.
The proposed research aims are: 1) to examine the relationship between the traditional Mexican diet score and
liver steatosis and fibrosis (NAFLD) and evaluate effect modification by sex and body mass index among 285
MO adults from the LUNA study, and 2) utilize formative research methods among MO adults participating in the
LUNA study to design and develop an mHealth pilot feasibility traditional Mexican diet intervention. These
research aims will address gaps in Ms. Lopez-Pentecost's training by 1) developing a highly informed and robust
knowledge and skills in the field of nutritional cancer epidemiology with a focus on diverse populations, 2) gaining
knowledge in formative, qualitative research that informs on the development of quality behavioral intervention
trial designs, including mHealth applications, and 3) increasing scientific publication and presentations, as well
as grant writing skills contributing to career development. With this award, the sponsoring team, and available
institutional resources, Ms. Lopez-Pentecost is well positioned to complete this project and take an incremental
step towards achieving her goal of establishing a career as a behavioral researcher in cancer prevention science,
focused on underrepresented populations.
