Plant-Based Diet for Healthy Eating Habits

Overseen By Anuja Abhyankar

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Louisville

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to encourage healthy eating habits by promoting a plant-based diet among underserved communities in Louisville. Participants will receive either free or subsidized fresh produce along with educational resources, or education on plant-based eating alone. It suits individuals who have faced food insecurity since 2021 and are open to completing surveys.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to valuable research that could enhance access to healthier food options in their community.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that implementing free/subsidized agricultural produce is safe?

Research has shown that plant-based diets are safe and beneficial for everyone, including pregnant women, children, and older adults. Studies also find that obtaining vegetables through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs can improve diet quality. In one study, 90% of CSA members reported receiving vegetables they normally wouldn't buy or eat.

This treatment focuses on providing free or low-cost produce along with education. No evidence suggests safety concerns with this approach. Eating more fruits and vegetables is generally considered safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential of plant-based diets to improve healthy eating habits. Unlike standard nutritional advice or diet pills, this approach provides free or subsidized fresh produce directly to participants, creating an accessible way to encourage healthier eating. Additionally, the trial pairs this with educational sessions about the benefits of plant-based diets, aiming to empower individuals with knowledge and resources to make lasting lifestyle changes. This combination of tangible support with educational empowerment is what sets it apart from traditional treatments focused solely on education or dietary guidelines.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for promoting healthy eating habits?

Research has shown that joining a subsidized community-supported agriculture (CSA) program can greatly improve diet quality. In this trial, one group of participants will receive free or subsidized CSA produce along with education on the benefits of a plant-based diet. Studies have found that people with lower incomes who participate in a CSA eat more vegetables and spend less time shopping. Additionally, CSA members often enjoy better overall quality of life and improvements in both physical and mental health. These findings suggest that offering free or low-cost produce through a CSA, along with education, could effectively encourage healthier eating habits in underserved communities. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erin Murphy

Principal Investigator

University of Louisville

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 living in Louisville who have been facing food insecurity since 2021 and are willing to provide survey data. There are no specific exclusion criteria, making the study open to a broad range of participants within this demographic.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to fill out survey data.

I have been struggling to get enough food since 2021.

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive education on plant-based diets and may opt into a subsidized Community Supported Agriculture share

Growing season (approximately 6 months)

Regular check-ins (virtual or in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adherence to the plant-based diet and health outcomes such as weight, blood pressure, and lipid profile

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Implementing free/subsidized agricultural produce

Trial Overview The trial aims to promote healthier eating habits by providing free or subsidized agricultural produce and educational materials to encourage a plant-based diet among underserved urban communities.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Free/Subsidized Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce along with education. Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients who self-elect to enroll in subsidized/free Community-supported agriculture produce shares will also receive Education on the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Group II: Education Alone Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients will receive educational information about the benefits of plant-based eating.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Louisville

Lead Sponsor

Trials

353

Recruited

76,400+

Oatly Group AB

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6874748/

Health Center–Based, Community-Supported Agriculture This RCT found that a subsidized CSA intervention significantly improved diet quality, compared with a “cash-benchmark” control condition. Further, it reduced ...

2. countyhealthrankings.org countyhealthrankings.org/strategies-and-solutions/what-works-for-health/strategies/community-supported-agriculture-csa

Community supported agriculture (CSA) Among households with lower incomes, CSA participants report improved diet, increased consumption of vegetables, less time spent shopping, and ...

3. agrifoodecon.springeropen.com agrifoodecon.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40100-024-00343-5

Community supported agriculture's perceived positive impacts ... In both countries, CSA membership was perceived to have caused improvements in members' life quality, vegetable intake and physical and mental health.

4. ams.usda.gov ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CSANewModelsforChangingMarketsb.pdf

Community Supported Agriculture The study documents differences in manager perceptions of competition for local food to local markets coming from new CSAs, expansion from existing CSAs, farm ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/9/1543

Impacts of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA ... We build on and expand inquiries into the relationship between CSA participation and behavior change by presenting the results from a controlled pilot study.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972724000539

Fostering sustainable agriculture: An exploration of ... This study sheds light on the potential of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a strategic initiative to foster the development of a more resilient, eco- ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8623061/

The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with ... Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age.

8. attra.ncat.org attra.ncat.org/publication/community-supported-agriculture/

Community Supported Agriculture – ATTRA CSA is a system where customers buy shares in a farm, receive products, and share risks and rewards with the community.