A community-based produce prescription intervention to improve nutrition security in populations with nutrition insecurity and obesity

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded Rhode Island Hospital $195,370 on September 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to conduct a community-based produce prescription intervention addressing nutrition insecurity and obesity in urban populations.

The research will examine the acceptability and feasibility of a produce prescription program through focus groups with patients and healthcare providers at urban clinics in Providence, Rhode Island. The award funds an open pilot study with 10–15 patients with obesity and nutrition insecurity to assess program utilization, followed by a pilot randomized clinical trial to evaluate the intervention's impact on produce consumption and clinically relevant health outcomes. The project is grounded in findings from a needs assessment of over 1,000 patients across five safety net urban clinics in Providence, in which nearly half reported regularly reducing meals or portion sizes due to lack of food access.

Performance occurs in Providence, Rhode Island 02903. The period of performance runs through July 31, 2031. The award is a Project Grant, the standard assistance type for NIH extramural research funding.

Abstract

Health disparities including socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and access to health care, to name a few, have a significant impact on health and disease. Nutrition insecurity is a major factor for obesity which is defined as individuals not having consistent access to affordable, healthy, and safe foods which are essential for health. This is of particular relevance for patients in urban settings. Based on a needs assessment of over 1000 patients from five safety net urban clinics in providence, rhode island, including the study site for this proposed research, almost half of the patients (47%) reported regularly reducing meals or portion sizes due to a lack of food. Novel nutrition intervention efforts are needed to address these important health disparities to increase access and affordability of fruits and vegetables in order to combat obesity and improve nutrition security, which is the key premise behind this proposed research. To address this, the specific aims of this proposal are to 1) conduct focus groups to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a produce prescription program (PPR) with patient and health care providers in an urban clinic; 2) perform an open pilot of a PPR intervention focused on program utilization in 10-15 patients with obesity and nutrition insecurity; and 3) conduct a pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of a PPR intervention on produce consumption and clinically relevant health outcomes. The findings from the proposed research will support the development of novel and much needed approaches to improve produce consumption in populations impacted by obesity and nutrition insecurity. The proposal will support the mentoring and development of the PI to become an independently funded physician scientist who specializes in implementation of community-based interventions to improve healthy eating and reduce the impact of noncommunicable dietary related diseases in populations most impacted by obesity and nutrition insecurity. The proposed research builds upon the expectational resources and mentorship provided at the warren alpert medical school of brown university and rhode island hospital, along with other institutions to provide the PI with training in key new areas of research, enhance applications for competitive grant funding, provide unique collaboration opportunities, and build the necessary foundation to attain research independence.