Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers for Fatty Liver Disease in Children
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether fruit and vegetable vouchers can improve liver health in children and teens with fatty liver disease linked to food insecurity. The goal is to determine if better access to healthy foods can reduce the severity of this liver condition and enhance overall health. Children diagnosed with fatty liver disease, experiencing hunger due to food shortages at home, and receiving treatment at specific clinics in California may qualify. The trial provides $80 in vouchers each month for six months to purchase fruits and vegetables. The outcomes will inform a larger future study. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to important research that could lead to better health solutions for children facing similar challenges.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if your child is on weight loss medications or medications causing weight gain, they may not be eligible to participate.
What prior data suggests that this fruit/vegetable voucher intervention is safe for children with MASLD?
Research has shown that distributing fruit and vegetable vouchers can improve diet quality. These programs aim to assist families who struggle to afford enough food by enabling them to eat more healthily. Past studies have not reported any negative effects from using these vouchers; instead, they help children and families consume more fruits and vegetables.
Since this trial uses fruit and vegetable vouchers, it does not involve any new drugs or medical procedures, resulting in a very low risk of harmful side effects. The vouchers serve as a means to encourage healthier eating habits, which are generally safe and beneficial for health.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about using fruit and vegetable vouchers as a treatment for fatty liver disease in children because it takes a novel approach by addressing diet and food access rather than relying on medications or lifestyle advice alone. Unlike current treatments that often focus on medication and weight management, this method directly improves the nutritional intake of children in food-insecure households, potentially reducing liver fat. By providing $80 worth of vouchers per month, families can access healthier food options, which might lead to significant improvements in liver health and overall well-being. This approach is promising because it targets a root cause—diet quality—making it a potentially sustainable and impactful solution for managing fatty liver disease in children.
What evidence suggests that fruit/vegetable vouchers might be an effective treatment for fatty liver disease in children?
Research has shown that a lack of healthy food at home is linked to more severe cases of pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in children. Studies suggest that children in food-insecure homes often consume fewer fruits and vegetables and more unhealthy, high-calorie foods, worsening liver problems. Early findings indicate that providing families with vouchers for fruits and vegetables could improve the diet and health of children with MASLD. In this trial, participants will receive $80 in fruit and vegetable vouchers per month for six months. By improving access to healthy foods, the researchers aim to lessen the severity of liver disease in these children.23467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Sarah L Maxwell, MD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for children and adolescents who are experiencing food insecurity and have been diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They must be receiving care at UCSF's liver clinic or the WATCH Clinic. The study aims to help those struggling with poor access to healthy foods.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive $80 of fruit/vegetable vouchers per month for 6 months
Assessment
Assess changes in dietary intake, liver inflammation, and other cardiometabolic health factors
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Fruit/Vegetable Vouchers
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
American Gastroenterological Association
Collaborator
University of California, San Francisco Population Health Health Equity Award
Collaborator