A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB) on Apr. 8 found that a Food is Medicine and food literacy education program improved nutrition knowledge and skills among rural, uninsured adults with type 2 diabetes.
The research focused on whether educational programs can help people manage their health through better food choices, especially for those facing barriers such as lack of insurance or living in rural areas. The findings suggest that while such programs are effective overall, more cultural tailoring may be needed to ensure all groups benefit equally.
Researchers used a validated assessment tool to measure changes in participants' food literacy before and after the intervention. They reported significant improvements in overall scores following participation, indicating that practical education about meal planning, shopping, budgeting, and preparation can help individuals make healthier choices.
The Fresh Start Food is Medicine plus Food Literacy intervention included nine group classes covering key skills for healthy eating. Participants also received health coaching support and produce prescriptions—vouchers or boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables provided as part of medical treatment. The study involved 150 adults recruited from four safety net clinics in rural eastern North Carolina affiliated with the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
Despite general gains across the group, disparities remained between racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic participants had lower food literacy scores than White participants both before and after the program, particularly when it came to meal planning, shopping, and budgeting skills.
The authors said these results show how integrating food literacy education into medical interventions could improve outcomes for underserved populations but also stressed that culturally tailored approaches may be necessary to address ongoing gaps.
