FOOD FOR HEALTH: EVALUATION OF A FRUIT & VEGETABLE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY HEALTH

Access to nutritionally adequate and safe food is a basic human need and fundamental right. Yet, food insecurity, that is, a lack of consistent, dependable access to enough food for all household members for active, healthy living, continues to affect millions of households across the United States. Those who experience food insecurity at rates greater than the national average include: 1) households with children, 2) households with children headed by a single female; 3) households headed by a Black non-Hispanic or Hispanic individual, 4) those living in rural areas, 5) those living in the south and southwest areas of the U.S., 5) families of enlisted service members and veterans, 6) college students, and 7) seniors. Consequences include physical impairments related to insufficient or inadequate dietary intakes, psychological issues related to a lack of consistent food access, and socio-familial disturbances. In response to the health needs and disparities that exist in the food-insecure population, we propose a fruit and vegetable prescription and education program for diabetes provided at UF Health Jacksonville Primary Care Clinics. The proposed project would study the impact of a fruit & vegetable prescription program on diabetes health parameters. A six-week nutrition education series will be provided. After each class, the participants will redeem the fruit & vegetable prescription at the produce market. Outcomes that will be measured include: Outcomes that will be measured include: 1) self-efficacy; 2) value assigned to fruit and vegetable intake; 3) nutrition and diabetes knowledge; 4) fruit and vegetable consumption; 5) diabetes distress scale rating; 6) body mass index; 7) body composition; and 8) hemoglobin A1C. Most of the above outcomes will be measured by conducting a pre- and post-survey questionnaire. The body mass index (BMI) and Hemoglobin A1C will be measured by reviewing the medical record pre- and post-program.