Cole Heasley1,2, Becca Clayton3, Jade Muileboom4, Anna Schwanke5, Sujani Rathnayake4, Abby Richter3, Matthew Little6. 1. Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. 2. School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. 3. Guelph Community Health Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada. 4. Arrell Food Institute, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. 5. Food From Thought, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. 6. School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. matthewlittle@uvic.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is associated with poor nutritional health outcomes. Prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables in healthcare settings may be an opportunity to link patients with community supports to promote healthy diets and improve food security. This mixed methods study evaluated the impacts of a fresh food prescription pilot program. METHODS: The study took place at two Community Health Centre locations in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Sixty food insecure patients with ≥1 cardio-metabolic condition or micronutrient deficiency participated in the intervention. Participants were prescribed 12 weekly vouchers to Community Food Markets. We conducted a one-group pre-post mixed-methods evaluation to assess changes in fruit and vegetable intake, self-reported health, food security, and perceived food environments. Surveys were conducted at baseline and follow-up and semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted following the intervention. RESULTS: Food security and fruit and vegetable consumption improved following the intervention. Food security scores increased by 1.6 points, on average (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and 'other' vegetables (cucumber, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, squashes, and vegetable juice) increased from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). No changes in self-reported physical or mental health were observed. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention benefited the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation of healthy foods for participating households. CONCLUSIONS: Fresh food prescription programs may be a useful model for healthcare providers to improve patients' food environments, healthy food consumption, and food security.
BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is associated with poor nutritional health outcomes. Prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables in healthcare settings may be an opportunity to link patients with community supports to promote healthy diets and improve food security. This mixed methods study evaluated the impacts of a fresh food prescription pilot program. METHODS: The study took place at two Community Health Centre locations in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Sixty food insecure patients with ≥1 cardio-metabolic condition or micronutrient deficiency participated in the intervention. Participants were prescribed 12 weekly vouchers to Community Food Markets. We conducted a one-group pre-post mixed-methods evaluation to assess changes in fruit and vegetable intake, self-reported health, food security, and perceived food environments. Surveys were conducted at baseline and follow-up and semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted following the intervention. RESULTS: Food security and fruit and vegetable consumption improved following the intervention. Food security scores increased by 1.6 points, on average (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and 'other' vegetables (cucumber, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, squashes, and vegetable juice) increased from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). No changes in self-reported physical or mental health were observed. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention benefited the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation of healthy foods for participating households. CONCLUSIONS: Fresh food prescription programs may be a useful model for healthcare providers to improve patients' food environments, healthy food consumption, and food security.
Authors: Jennifer N Aiyer; Margaret Raber; Rosalind S Bello; Anna Brewster; Elizabeth Caballero; Catherine Chennisi; Casey Durand; Marcita Galindez; Katherine Oestman; Maryiam Saifuddin; Jennifer Tektiridis; Reginald Young; Shreela V Sharma Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 3.046