A pilot randomized controlled trial of a fruit and vegetable prescription program at a federally qualified health center in low income uncontrolled diabetics

• Published in: Preventive medicine reports 2021-09, Vol.23, p.101410-101410, Article 101410
• Main Authors: Bryce, Richard, Wolfson, Julia A, Cohen, Alicia J, Milgrom, Nicki, Garcia, Danny, Steele, Alicia, Yaphe, Sean, Pike, Denise, Valbuena, Felix, Miller-Matero, Lisa R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Federally qualified health center; Fruit and vegetable prescription program; Low-income diabetics; Regular
• ISSN: 2211-3355; 2211-3355
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101410

•Prevalence of diabetes in the United States continues to increase.•The rate of increase of diabetes is higher among those living in poverty.•Poor families are less likely to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.•Fruit and vegetable prescription programs may help control type 2 diabetes. Eating a healthy diet is important for managing diabetes. Although there are high rates of diabetes in low-income urban areas, these patients often have limited access to fruits and vegetables. The 15-week Fresh Prescription (Fresh Rx) program was designed to improve access and consumption of fruits and vegetables among low-income patients with diabetes in Detroit, MI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a fruit and vegetable prescription program on changes in hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI) in patients with diabetes in a randomized controlled trial at a federally qualified health center (FQHC). Patients randomized to the Fresh Rx group (n = 56) were allotted up to $80 ($10 for up to eight weeks) for purchase of produce from a farmers market based at the FQHC. The control group (n = 56) received standard treatment plus information on community resources to improve health. Outcomes were compared at baseline and within three months of program completion. There were no significant between-group differences for any of the outcomes at program completion (p > .05); however, there was a small effect size for HbA1c (partialη2 = 0.02). Within the Fresh Rx group, HbA1c significantly decreased from 9.64% to 9.14% (p = 0.006). However, no changes were noted within the control group (9.38 to 9.41%,p = 0.89). BMI and BP did not change from pre- to post-study in either group (p > .05). Results from this study offer preliminary evidence that produce prescription programs may reduce HbA1C in low-income patients with diabetes.