Abstract
Objective: To assess change in household food security associated with participation in a pediatric fruit/vegetable prescription program. Methods: The researchers analyzed clinic-based, fruit/vegetable prescription program data for 578 low-income families, collected in 2013–2015, and calculated changes in food security (summative score; high/low/very low; and individual US Department of Agriculture measures). Results: Of participating households, 72% increased their summative score over the course of the program. In adjusted regression models, participants had higher change scores with 5 or 6 clinical visits, compared with 1 or 2 visits (β = .07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.14), and college education of the primary caretaker, compared with less than college (β = .05; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.09). Select clinic sites (but neither visit nor redemption proportions) significantly contributed to change score variance. All US Department of Agriculture measures saw significant increases. Conclusions and Implications: Fruit/vegetable prescription programs may help providers address patients’ food insecurity. Further research using experimental designs and implementation science could build the case to incorporate programs into practice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Journal | Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior |
DOIs | |
State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2018 |
Keywords
- food security
- fruit and vegetable prescription program
- nutrition incentive programs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Nutrition and Dietetics