Researchers led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the impact of an intensive food-as-medicine program on type 2 diabetes patients with food insecurity. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, included 349 participants and aimed to assess whether short-term access to healthy food options could enhance glycemic control and influence health care usage.
Participants with type 2 diabetes and elevated HbA1c levels were divided into two groups: the treatment group (n=170) received groceries for 10 healthy meals per week, dietitian consultations, nurse evaluations, health coaching, and diabetes education for one year, with a one-year follow-up. The control group (n=179) did not receive any benefits for the first six months.
Results showed that Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) tests at six months revealed similar declines in both the treatment (1.5%) and control (1.3%) groups, indicating no significant difference. While the program increased engagement with preventive health care, including more dietitian visits and improved diets in the treatment group, these improvements did not translate into better glycemic control compared to usual care with food insecurity.
Additionally, there were no significant differences in cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, or blood pressure between the treatment and control groups at six or 12 months. The study suggests that the damage caused by prolonged food insecurity may not be easily reversible and that addressing food insecurity and diabetes may require a longer-term approach beyond diet alone.
Despite the absence of short-term improvements, the study underscores the increasing prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases. Food-as-medicine programs, including produce prescription initiatives and medically tailored meals, are gaining popularity. The findings imply that a sustained focus on food and nutrition security may be essential for creating clinically measurable changes in individuals struggling with diabetes and food insecurity.