Why patients stay in or leave a medically tailored meals program: a qualitative study

Top Things to Know

This study highlights that MTM prgorams can help build health‑promoting behaviors that persist beyond the intervention.

Many non‑completers withdrew due to bland flavor or small portions, which indicates that managing expectations up front, offering seasoning strategies, or providing flavor‑enhancing supports could strengthen program adherence and extend clinical benefits.

FIM programs need to clearly communicate intended therapeutic goals, ensuring patients understand that MTMs primarily support disease management, not rapid weight loss, which may reduce mismatched expectations and prevent early withdrawal.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This qualitative study explored why patients either completed or withdrew from a six‑month medically tailored meals (MTM) program by interviewing 28 participants (14 completers and 14 non‑completers). Both groups viewed the program positively and reported that MTMs helped alleviate symptoms, reduce daily burdens, and educate them on healthier eating. However, completers tended to adapt more easily to the meals’ bland taste and smaller portion sizes, whereas many non‑completers withdrew due to difficulty adjusting to these characteristics. Non‑completers were also more likely to express weight‑loss expectations and to discontinue when their health or circumstances improved, making the meals feel unnecessary. Importantly, participants in both groups described sustaining healthier habits after the program ended, reporting that MTMs provided practical dietary education they could carry forward. Overall, findings underscore that taste, portion size expectations, and alignment between patient goals and program aims are critical drivers of MTM retention.