Implementation Mapping for Food Insecurity

Overseen By Jennifer Fisher, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Temple University

Disqualifiers: Charter, private schools, under 11, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how implementing a Universal School Meals (USM) strategy can boost participation in school meal programs. The researchers aim to provide schools with coaching and support to develop and apply this strategy over several years. Schools in Philadelphia that offer free meals and have teams willing to participate in interviews and surveys are well-suited for this trial. Students must be currently enrolled in these schools and have participated in school meals in the past year. As an unphased trial, this study offers schools a unique opportunity to enhance their meal programs and directly impact student nutrition and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this implementation strategy is safe for schools?

Research has shown that implementation mapping is safe and well-tolerated, with no reported safety concerns for participants. Although studies have examined outcomes like food security and student eating habits, they do not directly measure safety. As a planning process rather than a medical treatment, implementation mapping involves no physical risks. It serves as a strategy to help schools adopt programs more effectively, emphasizing planning and support rather than administering drugs or medical procedures. Overall, evidence indicates no negative effects from this approach. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new way to tackle food insecurity through "Implementation Mapping." Unlike traditional approaches that often focus on direct food aid or short-term fixes, this method involves coaching schools to develop tailored strategies for long-term implementation. By empowering schools to create sustainable solutions over multiple academic years, this approach hopes to address food insecurity more effectively and sustainably. The trial aims to demonstrate how strategic planning and gradual implementation can make a meaningful impact in reducing food insecurity in educational settings.

What evidence suggests that this implementation strategy is effective for increasing participation in Universal School Meals?

Research has shown that Implementation Mapping, studied in this trial, can boost participation in Universal School Meals (USM). Studies have found that this method improves food security and eating habits. For instance, one study discovered that communities using Implementation Mapping had better participation in food programs. In this trial, schools in the intervention condition will receive coaching and logistical support to develop and tailor an implementation strategy. This method involves collaborating with schools to create customized plans, leading to noticeable improvements in food-related outcomes. Overall, evidence suggests that Implementation Mapping could be a promising way to tackle food insecurity in schools. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for students enrolled in SDP middle/high schools that offer free meals and have a team willing to participate in data collection. Schools must be open to random assignment to treatment or control groups and have valid BMI, meal participation, and food insecurity data.

Inclusion Criteria

Students currently enrolled in a SDP middle/high school

A middle or high school within the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) that provides free breakfast and lunch to students

School has a team of teachers, administration, and food service staff who are willing to complete interviews and surveys for data collection

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 11 years old.

Charter schools and private schools

Students not enrolled in school full time

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation Strategy Development

Schools in the intervention condition receive coaching and logistical support to develop and tailor an implementation strategy across 1 academic year.

1 academic year

Implementation

The developed implementation strategy is gradually implemented in the following academic years.

2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in diet quality, food security, and weight status.

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Implementation Mapping

Trial Overview The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an implementation strategy on student involvement in Universal School Meals programs. It involves comparing schools using this strategy with those on a waitlist through interviews and surveys.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Implementation Strategy - Intervention Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Schools in the intervention condition will be assigned to receive coaching and logistical support to develop and tailor an implementation strategy across 1 academic year. This strategy will then be implemented gradually and in the following academic years (2- year pilot).

Group II: Waitlist Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Schools in the waitlist control will wait 1 academic year before developing and testing an implementation strategy (1-year pilot)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Temple University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

321

Recruited

89,100+

The School District of Philadelphia

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

3,400+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12486583/

Using implementation mapping to optimize the impact of ... For the behavior/health outcomes, we will analyze data at baseline and 12 months to examine changes over time given that BMI, household food ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41034951/

a type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness study protocol Survey and interview data for implementation outcomes will be analyzed deductively according to the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, ...

3. profiles.wustl.edu profiles.wustl.edu/en/publications/using-implementation-mapping-to-optimize-the-impact-of-universal-/

a type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness study protocol Health outcomes comprise family food security, student dietary behaviors, and body mass index. Baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessments will be recorded ...

4. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/tbm/article/15/1/ibaf004/8069107

community-engaged implementation mapping approach to ... Data sources included food insecurity prevalence, community participation rates in community food programs, health center and food bank ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/implementation-mapping-for-food-insecurity-c4f3c

Implementation Mapping for Food Insecurity Trial Overview The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an implementation strategy on student involvement in Universal School Meals programs. It involves ...

6. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13739

Using concept mapping to co‐create implementation ... This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to co-create implementation strategies to tailor a culturally sensitive intervention to address FI