"A pilot randomized controlled trial of a fruit and vegetable prescript" by Richard Bryce, Julia A. WolfsonBryce et al.

Family Medicine Articles

Title

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

Authors

Richard Bryce, Henry Ford HealthsFollow
Julia A. WolfsonBryce
Alicia CohenBryce
Nicki Milgrom
Danny Garcia
Alicia Steele
Sean Yaphe, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Denise Pike
Felix Valbuena, Henry Ford HealthsFollow
Lisa R. Miller-Matero, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Bryce R, WolfsonBryce JA, CohenBryce A, Milgrom N, Garcia D, Steele A, Yaphe S, Pike D, Valbuena F, and Miller-Matero LR. A pilot randomized controlled trial of a fruit and vegetable prescription program at a federally qualified health center in low income uncontrolled diabetics. Prev Med Rep 2021; 23:101410.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2021

Publication Title

Prev Med Rep

Abstract

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 (HbA(1)C), 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 (partial η(2) = 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 HbA(1)C in low-income patients with diabetes.

PubMed ID

34150472

Volume

First Page

101410

Last Page