Impact of Dietitian-Delivered Motivational Interviewing Within a Food is Medicine Intervention Targeting Adults Living With and Beyond Cancer

Top Things to Know

Integrating motivational interviewing from RDs into FIM programs significantly improves weight outcomes, reinforcing that behavioral counseling is essential for sustained health improvements.

Allowing participants to choose their preferred communication method (e.g., phone, text, email) boosts engagement and effectiveness, showing that personalized support is key to making FIM interventions accessible and impactful.

Higher frequency of RDMI interactions led to greater weight loss, suggesting that consistent, tailored guidance alongside nutritious food provision is a powerful strategy for managing chronic conditions in cancer survivors.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This study evaluated the impact of dietitian-delivered motivational interviewing (RDMI) within a Food is Medicine (FIM) intervention targeting adults living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) who were overweight or obese. Participants received RDMI during a 6-month intensive phase and a 6-month maintenance phase, with flexible delivery modes (phone, email, text, video). Completion of at least one RDMI phone call significantly predicted weight loss, and higher RDMI dose was moderately correlated with greater weight loss at both 6 and 12 months. Engagement quality also showed a positive, though weaker, correlation with weight loss. Most participants preferred text-based communication, but phone use was associated with better outcomes. The study highlights the importance of individualized, behavior-focused support in enhancing the effectiveness of FIM interventions for cancer survivors.