Farming for Life: Pilot assessment of the impact of medical prescriptions for vegetables on health and food security among Latino adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: In the United States, Latino families have a disproportionate burden of diabetes and associated complications.

Aim: This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using medical prescriptions of organic vegetables to improve health outcomes among Latinos with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Latino participants (n = 21, 91% female, age 56 ± 11.1 years) with T2D received 12 weeks of medically prescribed organic vegetables. Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and HbA_1c were measured pre and post-intervention. Food security was also assessed.

Results: Over 12 weeks, there was a significant fall in systolic (p = 0.03) and diastolic (p = 0.01) blood pressure. A total of 14 participants lost weight (median weight loss among responders was 1.9 pounds), and waist circumference decreased in 9 of 19 responders by a median of 1.5 inches. HbA_1c was unchanged (6.7 ± 1.1% at baseline versus 7.0 ± 1.1% post-intervention).

Conclusions: Medical prescriptions of organic vegetables may have measurable health benefits for adult Latinos with T2D.

Keywords: Hispanic; Latino; Type 2 diabetes; blood pressure; food insecurity; vegetables; weight.