Tree Nut Consumption to Reduce Abdominal Adiposity

A major contributing factor to the rising waist circumference of U.S. young adults is the increase in snacking behavior. Both the frequency of snacking during the day and the percentage of adults who engage in snacking has risen; national data indicates snacking comprises 15-25% of the total daily caloric intake of young and middle-aged adults. The overarching hypothesis, based on significant preliminary data, is that the quantity and metabolic function of abdominal fat is a key intermediary factor by which greater tree nut consumption reduces ectopic lipid storage (including the accumulation of intra-abdominal \[visceral\] fat), improves fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism, reduces systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, and thus, reduces risk for MetS in millennial-generation age individuals.