John Oluwadero, Lydia De Leon, Megan Falgowski, Eunice Holman, Nicole Kennedy, Maggie Norris-Bent, Heather Patosky, Ruthann Richardson, Mia Seibold, Tara Tracy, Megan Werner, Samuel VanHorne, Allison Karpyn
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The FF program provided participants with nutrient-dense food, bi-weekly nutrition counseling, and behavioral support. Data on body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (A1C), and fruit and vegetable intake were collected from 43 participants at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint. Participant knowledge, dietary behaviors and food insecurity, changes in goal setting, consumption of sodium, sugar, and fats were also assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants demonstrated significant reductions in BMI and improved dietary behaviors, including decreased consumption of sodium, sugar, and fats. While changes in A1C levels were not statistically significant, the overall trend indicated improvement. The program also led to modest enhancements in food security.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Feeding Families program contributes to improving health outcomes among populations with chronic diseases, particularly in reducing BMI and promoting healthier dietary behaviors around sodium, sugar, and fat consumption.</p><p><strong>Policy implications: </strong>The Feeding Families program demonstrates the potential of integrating tailored nutrition, behavioral support, and healthcare services to manage chronic conditions through 'Food Is Medicine' best practices, and its impact on BMI, salt, sugar and fat reduction among other benefits. 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引用次数: 0
摘要
背景:“食物即药物”(FIM)模式将医疗保健和食物获取联系起来,以减轻慢性健康状况和解决健康的社会决定因素。目的:本研究评估了喂养家庭(FF)计划的影响,FF计划是特拉华州西区家庭医疗保健公司(Westside Family Healthcare)在2023年2月至2024年2月期间发起的一项FIM倡议,旨在支持糖尿病、高血压和肥胖患者。方法:我们采用准实验设计来评估该计划在12个月内的实施和有效性。FF项目为参与者提供营养丰富的食物、两周一次的营养咨询和行为支持。在基线、中点和终点收集了43名参与者的身体质量指数(BMI)、糖化血红蛋白(A1C)和水果和蔬菜摄入量的数据。参与者的知识、饮食行为和食品不安全、目标设定的变化、钠、糖和脂肪的消耗也被评估。结果:参与者的身体质量指数显著下降,饮食行为改善,包括钠、糖和脂肪的摄入减少。虽然糖化血红蛋白水平的变化没有统计学意义,但总体趋势表明改善。该计划还使粮食安全得到了适度改善。结论:喂养家庭项目有助于改善慢性病患者的健康状况,特别是在降低BMI和促进钠、糖和脂肪摄入方面的健康饮食行为方面。政策影响:“供养家庭”项目展示了将量身定制的营养、行为支持和医疗保健服务结合起来,通过“食物即药物”的最佳实践来管理慢性病的潜力,以及该项目对身体质量指数、减少盐、糖和脂肪等方面的影响。特拉华州应该优先考虑FIM,包括建立医疗补助豁免基金。
Food is Medicine: The Effectiveness of Delaware's Feeding Families Program in Managing Chronic Conditions.
Background: The "Food is Medicine" (FIM) model bridges healthcare and food access to mitigate chronic health conditions and address social determinants of health.
Objectives: This study assesses the impact of the Feeding Families (FF) program, a FIM initiative by Westside Family Healthcare in Delaware, which was conducted between February 2023 and February 2024 and designed to support individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Methods: We employed a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the program over 12 months. The FF program provided participants with nutrient-dense food, bi-weekly nutrition counseling, and behavioral support. Data on body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (A1C), and fruit and vegetable intake were collected from 43 participants at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint. Participant knowledge, dietary behaviors and food insecurity, changes in goal setting, consumption of sodium, sugar, and fats were also assessed.
Results: Participants demonstrated significant reductions in BMI and improved dietary behaviors, including decreased consumption of sodium, sugar, and fats. While changes in A1C levels were not statistically significant, the overall trend indicated improvement. The program also led to modest enhancements in food security.
Conclusion: The Feeding Families program contributes to improving health outcomes among populations with chronic diseases, particularly in reducing BMI and promoting healthier dietary behaviors around sodium, sugar, and fat consumption.
Policy implications: The Feeding Families program demonstrates the potential of integrating tailored nutrition, behavioral support, and healthcare services to manage chronic conditions through 'Food Is Medicine' best practices, and its impact on BMI, salt, sugar and fat reduction among other benefits. Delaware should prioritize FIM, including establishing Medicaid waivers for funding.