Examining the context, logistics, and outcomes of food prescription programs: A scoping review

Anne Cafer; Meagen Rosenthal; Parker Smith; Danielle McGrew; Kaustuv Bhattacharya; Yiran Rong; Monika Salkar; Johnny Yang; Jasmine Nguyen; Austin Arnold

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.007

Examining the context, logistics, and outcomes of food prescription programs: A scoping review

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2023 Jan;19(1):57-68. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.007. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: amcafer@olemiss.edu.
² Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: mmrosent@olemiss.edu.
³ Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: PSmith3@leegov.com.
⁴ Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: dmmcgrew@go.olemiss.edu.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: kbhattac@olemiss.edu.
⁶ Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: yrong@go.olemiss.edu.
⁷ Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: msalkar@go.olemiss.edu.
⁸ Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: jyang2@go.olemiss.edu.
⁹ Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: jtnguye3@go.olemiss.edu.
¹⁰ University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Dept of Pharmacy Administration, United States. Electronic address: adarnol1@go.olemiss.edu.

PMID: 36175272
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.007

Abstract

Background: Obesity and associated metabolic conditions are endemic. Finding new strategies to mitigate the impact on wellbeing and healthcare systems is critical. Food prescription programs (FPPs) have been promoted as one route to address this problem in a way that simultaneously addresses the socio-cultural context of obesity. Yet, little is known about the standard practices and logistics of using food prescription programs as an effective intervention.

Objectives: To 1) identify the context in which food prescription programs are used; 2) identify implementation logistics of food prescription program; and 3) understand the scope of food prescription program outcomes.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted from October 2019 to May 2020 using Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and AcademicOne Search to identify research articles focused on the implementation of prescription food programs in the US. Updates to articles were made in May of 2021 and May of 2022 to ensure the most up-to-date sample for analysis. There was no publication date restriction for article inclusion.

Results: A total of 213 articles were identified for abstract review via the search strategy, and 30 articles were included for analysis following article exclusion. Overall, there was little consistency among included articles regarding the target population, participant recruitment, delivery, and evaluation of the food prescription programs implemented. Most food prescription programs studied were associated with farmers markets, lasted less than 6 months, and utilized produce consumption and biometric data as primary outcomes measures.

Conclusion: Significant gaps in the literature concerning the long-term effectiveness, impact on health behaviors, screening of eligible participants, and logistics for implementation were identified. Future research should focus on addressing these shortcomings in the current literature to improve the implementation, sustainability, and scaling of food prescription programs.

Keywords: Chronic disease management; Community programming; Food prescription; Program implementation; produce prescription.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Delivery of Health Care*
Health Behavior*
Humans
Obesity / prevention & control
Prescriptions