(PTFS18-06-26) Advancing Food and Nutrition Security Through Community-Based Produce Prescriptions: Results From a 12 Month Pilot Study

Objectives: This study aims to measure the efficacy of a 12-month community-based produce prescription intervention among food insecure adults with chronic disease.

Methods: The study used a 12-month pre-post intervention design to measure food and nutrition security, dietary quality, and health outcomes through biometric health data collected both on-site and through electronic patient health records. Participants were adults screened for food security and an existing chronic disease. Analysis included descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests.

Results: A total of 93 participants enrolled across five partner community health and clinical sites. Retention was 73% post intervention; an important observation considering the sample is predominantly low-income (83% < $25,000 annual household income), low-education attainment (68% ≤ high school level education), and identify as a minority population ( 46% Hispanic, 31% Black, and 32% Spanish-only speaking) all of which are highly medically underserved. We observed a statistically significant improvement in food (t(66)=8.9, p< .001) and nutrition security (t(64)=6.2, p< .001) as well as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables measured through skin carotenoid levels, a validated biomarker for fruit and vegetable consumption (t(64)=-3.1, p< .003). Though not statistically significant, improvements were observed in total cholesterol and number of self-reported emergency room visits in the last three months. No changes were observed for BMI, blood pressure, or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

Conclusions: The current pilot study generated effectiveness in increasing food and nutrition security and improving dietary quality. This study pilot tested the use of electronic patient health records to collect biometric data (HbA1c and full cholesterol panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides)). Given barriers to accessing basic labs, this data was only obtained from less than 20% of the sample. Gaps in biometric data (e.g. HbA1c) highlight the importance of addressing data access issues and incorporating appropriate study design elements (e.g. point-of-care, ordered labs) to better measure differences in biometric health outcomes in produce prescription interventions working with community partners.

Funding Sources: Health Forward Foundation, BioNexus & Blue KC