Produce Purchase Incentive for Nutrition in Pregnancy

(FOOD4MOMS Trial)

Overseen By Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Not pregnant, Not Hartford, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if providing pregnant women with money to buy fruits and vegetables (produce purchase incentive) improves their health and nutrition. Participants receive monthly reminders and tips on healthy eating, along with up to three nutrition education sessions. The study targets low-income pregnant Latina women in Hartford who are in their first or second trimester and enrolled in programs like WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance maternal health and nutrition.

Do I need to stop 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 nutrition and produce incentives, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this produce purchase incentive is safe for pregnant women?

Research shows that programs offering incentives to buy fruits and vegetables are generally safe for participants. Studies have not reported any safety issues with these programs, indicating they are well-tolerated and pose no known risks. These programs can also improve eating habits by encouraging more fruit and vegetable consumption, benefiting both mothers and their babies. Overall, evidence shows no harm from these incentive programs, making them a safe choice for pregnant women. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the produce purchase incentive for nutrition in pregnancy because it offers a novel approach to improving maternal nutrition by directly incentivizing healthier food choices. Traditional nutrition programs often rely on education alone, but this treatment combines education with financial incentives, potentially increasing the motivation for healthier eating. By providing regular text reminders and nutrition tips, this method promotes sustained behavioral change, which could lead to improved health outcomes for both mothers and their babies. This innovative strategy could redefine how nutritional support is provided during pregnancy, making it more engaging and effective.

What evidence suggests that this produce purchase incentive is effective for nutrition in pregnancy?

Research has shown that financial assistance for purchasing fruits and vegetables can improve diet and health during pregnancy. In this trial, pregnant Latina women in Hartford, CT, will receive produce purchase incentives. A small study found that women who received vouchers to buy produce consumed more fruits and vegetables, felt more secure about their food supply, and had a lower risk of preterm birth. These programs also reduce financial stress and improve access to healthy food. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake through these incentives can enhance overall health and well-being. This approach supports better nutrition during pregnancy, benefiting both mother and baby. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pregnant Latina women in their first or second trimester, living in Hartford with low income (involved in WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid), and who speak English or Spanish. It aims to help them make healthier food choices by providing a monthly produce purchase incentive.

Inclusion Criteria

Low income (participating or enrolled in WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid)

Living in the city of Hartford

Pregnant during first or second trimester

Exclusion Criteria

Any individual not meeting the specified inclusion criteria will be excluded from the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive monthly produce prescriptions and attend up to three nutrition education sessions

10 months

1 required session, up to 2 optional sessions (virtual or in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in produce intake and household food insecurity

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Produce purchase incentive

Trial Overview The intervention being tested provides financial incentives for purchasing produce and includes up to three nutrition education sessions along with monthly text reminders. The study will incorporate participant feedback throughout the program to enhance its effectiveness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: pregnant Latina women Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Pregnant Latina women in Hartford CT enrolled during the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Participants will be provided with up to three nutrition education sessions and will be sent text message reminders to redeem their incentives every month and to provide them with nutrition tips.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

Wholesome Wave

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

450+

Hispanic Health Council, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

1,100+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/produce-purchase-incentive-for-nutrition-in-pregnancy-5e46d

Produce Purchase Incentive for Nutrition in Pregnancy ... The produce purchase incentive treatment is unique because it uses financial incentives to encourage pregnant women to buy more fruits and vegetables, which is ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9668343/

Impact of fruit and vegetable benefits on pregnancy ... A recent pilot study of the program found that voucher recipients were more food-secure, ate more F&V, and had lower risk of preterm birth, ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1462908/full

Gaining stakeholder perspectives to shape a produce ... Results: Both patients and clinic staff perceived many benefits to this type of program, including easing financial strain, removing barriers to access, and ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267224000820

Implementation and Impact of Perinatal Food Is Medicine ... The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of public health impacts of perinatal FIM programs from the perspectives of both program implementers and ...

5. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.122.009520

Impact of Produce Prescriptions on Diet, Food Security ... Produce prescriptions may improve cardiometabolic health by increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and food insecurity.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7199019/

A realist qualitative study to explore how low‐income pregnant ... If she invested the vouchers in the baby's food during pregnancy (outcome), she felt more prepared and less worried about affording it in the future (mechanism) ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125000319

Community-Engaged Codesign and Piloting of the ... Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is key for maternal-child food and nutrition security. In the United States, fruit and vegetable consumption is lower ...