Secondary Data Analysis of Food Farmacy Intervention for Diabetes Management
Devine, Jillian
Devine, Jillian
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2025-05-19
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Abstract
This secondary data analysis examined the effects of nutritional interventions on managing chronic health conditions in food insecure individuals living with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The ?Food Farmacy? intervention employed in the primary pragmatic study provided participants (n = 50) with ten pounds of fresh produce weekly, five medically tailored meals weekly, and 20 pounds of shelf stable, pantry goods every other week. Participants could also attend a two-hour nutrition education session, led by a registered dietician, every week. This study analyzed changes to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and produce intake to assess the effects of the Food Farmacy intervention on glycemic control, cardiovascular status, and dietary habits.
Following six months of the Food Farmacy intervention, the sample population exhibited reductions to HbA1c (p = 0.292), significant reductions to systolic pressure (p = 0.003**), significant reductions to diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.048*), significant increases to fruit intake (p = 0.045*), and increases to vegetable intake (p = 0.527). The findings of the secondary data analysis emphasize the potential for nutritional interventions in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complication. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of nutritional interventions in other chronic health conditions.