302-OR: Medical Prescriptions for Vegetables Are Associated with Reduced Consumption of Unhealthy Foods, Improved Food Security, and Lowered Cardiometabolic Risk among Adults with or at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Previously, we have reported that improving access to fresh vegetables reduces cardio-metabolic risk for predominantly Mexican American adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This analysis examined changes in self-reported consumption of less healthy foods (soda, sugary drinks, and tortillas) and the association with medical prescriptions for locally sourced fresh vegetables. In this observational cohort study, 202 adults (152 female, 80% Hispanic/Latino, mean ±SD age of 53.8 ±12.6 years) with (n=62) or at risk (American Diabetes Association risk calculator) of T2D received 21 servings per week of locally sourced fresh vegetables prescribed by a physician for 10 weeks. No nutrition education was provided. For participants with paired data, there were reductions in waist circumference (-0.9 ±3.7 cm, p=0.003); systolic blood pressure for those with baseline ≥ 130 mmHg (-8.9±16.5 mmHg, p=0.001); and HbA1c values for participants with a baseline >7.0 % (-0.4 [-0.8, -0.1] %, p=0.016). Fewer participants had low or very low food security (USDA 6-item Food Security Module) after the intervention (25 versus 76, p<0.0001), associated with reductions in consumption of tortillas (p<0.00001); soda and other sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, sweet tea, and sports or energy drinks (p<0.001); and their weekly frequency of eating out (p=0.01). The improvement in food security was also associated with better sleep (ρ=0.22, p=0.007). The use of medical prescriptions for vegetables is associated with greater food security and lower cardiometabolic risk in predominantly Mexican-American adults with or at risk of T2D, possibly related to less consumption of unhealthy foods. Disclosure N. M. Glantz: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Eli Lilly and Company. C. Conneely: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Eli Lilly and Company. A. J. Larez: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Eli Lilly and Company. W. C. Bevier: Research Support; Self; Abbott Diabetes, Eli Lilly and Company. D. Kerr: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis, Research Support; Self; Abbott Diabetes, Elsevier, Lilly Diabetes, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Glooko, Inc. Funding U.S. Department of Agriculture (2018-33800-28404)