Background: Laboratory and physical metric data were available from participants of Alcohol Free for 40 (AFF40), a 40-day alcohol abstinence program in Louisiana. This study was performed to determine whether biometric changes were detectable after 40 days.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective data review of three cohorts of AFF40 program participants. Participant pre- and post-program data were analyzed (n=113, 2019; n=105, 2020; n=344, 2021). The intervention was self-directed, 40-day alcohol abstinence with social support. Changes in liver enzymes, cholesterol, vitamin B12, weight, body fat, and blood pressure were measured. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-program metrics.
Results: Retention rates for participation were 63% (113/179; 2019), 23% (105/449; 2020), and 86% (344/400; 2021), despite the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Maximal average changes were -9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, -4.3 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, and -5.7 pounds of weight (all p<0.0001). Liver enzymes decreased; alanine aminotransferase decreased by 5.6 U/L, aspartate transaminase by 4.8 U/L, and gamma glutamyl transferase by 8.7 U/L (all p<0.0001). Vitamin B12 increased by 54.6 pg/mL (p<0.01). Total cholesterol dropped by 15.8 mg/dL (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Participants in abstinence programming with social support improved liver enzymes, cholesterol, body fat, and other factors during a 40-day challenge.
Effect of 1,2-diacylglycerols on the insulin receptor function and insulin action in rat adipocytes was studied. 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (100 micrograms/ml) did not alter insulin binding but it did stimulate phosphorylation of the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor as well as its tyrosine kinase activity. However, dioctanoylglycerol inhibited insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation. This concentration of dioctanoylglycerol inhibited insulin-stimulated CO2 metabolism, lipogenesis and 3-O-methyl-glucose transport in a dose-dependent manner but did not alter any of these bioeffects in absence of insulin. While there was no direct link between diacylglycerol effect on tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor and insulin action in rat adipocytes, the parallel inhibition of insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation and insulin bioeffects by dioctanoylglycerol suggests its direct or indirect role in insulin signalling in rat fat cells.
Alcohol consumption is known to increase risk for chronic diseases and other negative health outcomes. Abstinence, even temporary, from alcohol consumption can have positive health impacts. In this article, we describe implementation and process evaluation of Ochsner Eat Fit’s Alcohol Free for 40 (AFF40), an annual, 40-day voluntary alcohol abstinence challenge that takes place in six regions of Louisiana. Participants are challenged to abstain from alcohol consumption for 40 days to promote behavior change. To support participants’ success, staff conduct pre and post metrics (physical and laboratory) and host community-based events to encourage replacement behaviors. Process evaluation included measures of reach, recruitment, dose, and fidelity through tracking of participant registrations, an exit survey, media analytics, and program activity logs. In 2021, 493 participants enrolled in AFF40, with 347 completing laboratory metrics and 298 completing physical metrics. Majority of exit survey respondents (74.5%) reported no alcohol consumption during the 40-day challenge and that they planned to participate in AFF40 2022 (90.9%). The Eat Fit team documented moderate engagement (48.7% of enrolled participants) in program events. Social and digital impressions and page views recorded 23,591 hits while print media resulted in over 750,000 impressions. AFF40 has shown to be highly engaging for participants and effective in supporting temporary abstinence from alcohol. Incorporating stronger methods and evaluation will enhance future program implementation and community impact. Lessons learned and implications for practice are transferable to other community-based efforts to reduce alcohol consumption.
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