Produce Prescription for Obesity

Not yet recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Bridgette Hindt, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nemours Children's Clinic

Disqualifiers: Neurocognitive delays, G-tube/J-tube, food allergies

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if an 8-week program, which includes receiving fruits and vegetables from a nearby urban farm (Sanctuary Farm Prescription), can help overweight teens eat healthier and improve their blood pressure and weight. It will explore whether pairing these produce prescriptions with educational videos makes a difference. Researchers will check teens' fruit and vegetable intake, blood pressure, and weight before and after the program. This trial is suitable for English-speaking teens aged 12-17 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile, who are patients at Nemours TJU Primary Care Clinic and can obtain parental permission to join. As an unphased trial, this study offers teens a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance their health and well-being.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on diet and nutrition, so you may not need to change your medications, but it's best to check with the study team.

What prior data suggests that this produce prescription program is safe for overweight teens?

Research has shown that a produce prescription program is safe. This program provides fresh fruits and vegetables, which are generally healthy and safe for most people. Studies have not identified any serious side effects from increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Similar programs have improved diet and health without causing harm. The main goal is to encourage healthier eating habits, making the program easy to follow by focusing on natural foods.

Overall, evidence suggests that a produce prescription safely promotes better health in overweight teens. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Sanctuary Farm Prescription is unique because it approaches obesity treatment by integrating a weekly produce pickup, emphasizing fresh, healthy food as a direct part of the care plan. Unlike traditional approaches that often focus on medication, dietary restrictions, or surgery, this method encourages sustainable lifestyle changes through accessible nutrition. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it has the potential to empower individuals to make healthier food choices, which could lead to long-term weight management and overall improved health outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this produce prescription program is effective for increasing fruit and vegetable intake in overweight teens?

Research shows that programs providing fruit and vegetable prescriptions can help people lose weight and improve their diet. One study found that participants in a similar program lost an average of 6.71 pounds and reduced their body weight by 4.7% over 18 months. This trial will evaluate the "Sanctuary Farm Prescription," which involves a weekly produce pickup, to determine its effectiveness in weight control by promoting the consumption of more fruits and vegetables. These programs also make fresh produce more accessible to families, encouraging healthier eating habits. Although limited data exists on blood pressure, better eating and weight loss typically lead to improved heart health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carissa Baker-Smith, MD, MPH, MS

Principal Investigator

Nemours Children's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for overweight adolescents who are interested in improving their diet and health. Participants should be willing to complete dietary questionnaires, have their blood pressure and weight measured at the start and end of the study, and pick up weekly produce prescriptions.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI > or = 85th percentile

English Speaking

Patients seen at Nemours TJU Primary Care Clinic

Exclusion Criteria

Use of G-tube/J-tube

Food allergies that in the opinion of the investigators would interfere with ability to participate.

My child has learning or thinking difficulties that would make it hard for them to join in.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive weekly produce prescriptions and educational videos for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Weekly produce pickups

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in fruit and vegetable intake, blood pressure, and BMI

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sanctuary Farm Prescription

Trial Overview The study tests if an 8-week program providing fruit and vegetable prescriptions from a local urban farm can increase healthy eating habits in teens, lower blood pressure, and reduce weight. It includes educational videos about nutrition.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Produce prescription Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

weekly produce pickup

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nemours Children's Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

128

Recruited

18,000+

Thomas Jefferson University

Collaborator

Trials

475

Recruited

189,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218588

NCT07218588 | Sanctuary Farm Prescription in Adolescents The goal of this research study is to learn if an 8-week produce prescription program (in partnership with a local urban farm) can increase ...

2. houstonstateofhealth.com houstonstateofhealth.com/promisepractice?doSearch=1&searchKeywords=easy+way+to+get+coins+fc+26+Coinsnight.com+FC+26+coins+30%25+OFF+code%3A+FC2026.+Immediate+attention+given+to+special+requests.WYmi&page=40

Promising Practices :: Search Results The Promising Practices database informs professionals and community members about documented approaches to improving community health and quality of life.

3. jandonline.org jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(18)31526-0/pdf

Pediatric Weight Management Outcomes in&nbsp The Effectiveness of Nutrition Specialists on Pediatric Weight Management Outcomes in Multicomponent Pediatric Weight. Management Interventions: A Systematic.

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40193829/

An Urban Farm-Anchored Produce Prescription Program's ... At eighteen months, the VeggieRx group experienced a mean body weight difference of -6.71 pounds and percentage body weight difference of -4.7 percent relative ...

5. cdc.gov cdc.gov/dnpao-state-local-programs/media/videos/2022/30-jun/Transcript-ChildhoodObesitySeminar_06302022.pdf

00:00:19:01 Eileen Bosso Welcome. We're Since 2013, she is overseeing the creation of a collection of effective pediatric and adult weight management programs into the FQHC setting ...

6. whitehouse.gov whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MAHA-Report-The-White-House.pdf

The MAHA Report ... weight-loss and diabetes drugs with complicated metabolic effects lack neurodevelopmental and other long term safety data, raising the ...

7. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/piis2542-5196(23)00025-6/fulltext

Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and ... Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and mental health, and physical activity: a systematic review

8. fda.gov fda.gov/media/179147/download

queryResult I am requesting the safety report data for these drugs: (a) Syfovre from 4/1/2024 to 5/15/2024; and (b) Izervay from 4/1/2024 to 5/15 ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2571048/

Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity Obesity may be thought of as a body weight that conveys significant risk for adverse health outcomes. In children, obesity is defined as a BMI at or above ...