(P02-045-25) Effects of a 21-Day Educational Program on Understanding of and Adoption of Plant Based Eating in an Underserved Population of Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTRs)

Objectives: Plant-based eating (PBE) is linked to lower rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) likely due to lower acid load, higher alkali intake, and improvements in diabetes and hypertension. Patient buy in can be difficult due to misperceptions about cost/difficulty of following PBE. We piloted a 1-month program to support adoption of PBE in indigent KTRs.

Methods: Stable KTRs (n=9, mean age 54.2 y, 75% male, 75% Black) were recruited from transplant clinic. The program included a prep workshop to review the evidence base for PBE, cooking skills, meal planning and shopping tips, followed by 4 weekly classes covering chronic disease prevention, handling social situations, and live cooking demos. Weekly produce and peer mentorship were provided. Participants were urged to eat an oil-free, low-sugar, low-salt PBD for 21 days. Outcomes included program-related change in 24-h dietary recalls, PBE knowledge and diet adoption confidence, health-related QOL, depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Outcomes were assessed with Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests or McNemar’s tests. A post-program focus group gauged program acceptability.

Results: Most participants were married, had completed some college, and were unemployed or retired (all 63%). All attended at least 4 of 5 sessions. Half had annual income < $40,000. We found statistically significant pre- to post-program decreases in animal protein intake, and proportions reporting pain (71% vs 14%), lower GI discomfort (43% vs 0%), and perceived barriers to adopting a PBD, including flavor (57% vs 14%) and getting adequate vitamins (29% vs. 0%) and protein (43% vs 0%). Changes in GAD-7, PHQ-9, and PBD knowledge did not reach statistical significance. Focus group participants reported high satisfaction with the program and strong willingness to recommend it, noting improved health, PBE knowledge gains, and the importance of peer support.

Conclusions: In our pilot population of indigent KTRs: 1. Patients who enrolled attended most of the sessions; 2. There was a significant program-related decrease in animal protein consumption; 3. There were post-program improvements in knowledge, self-efficacy, and some self-reported health metrics. Future work will expand the program to a larger group of CKD patients, including those on dialysis as well as KTRs.

Funding Sources: Funded by the Downstate Health Sciences University Seed Grant Program