Frequency of Attendance to a Behavioral Intervention on Health-related Outcomes in a Multicomponent Food as Medicine Intervention

Top Things to Know

Regular participation in food as medicine programs enhances dietary and health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of sustained engagement for effective chronic disease management.

Integrating behavioral interventions with nutritional support can lead to comprehensive health benefits, including better mental health and physical activity levels, highlighting the multifaceted role of food in medicine.

Developing strategies to improve attendance can maximize the effectiveness of food as medicine interventions, ensuring that patients receive continuous support for their dietary and health needs.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study investigated the impact of attendance frequency on health outcomes in the Recipe4Health program, which combines produce deliveries with behavioral intervention sessions. It found that patients with high attendance (≥75%) showed significant improvements in vegetable/fruit intake, physical activity, and mental health compared to those with low attendance (<50%). High attendance was also associated with a notable reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels. Moderate attendance (50% to <75%) led to improvements in physical activity but not as pronounced as high attendance. The study concluded that consistent participation in such programs is crucial for maximizing health benefits.