Whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, fruit, and beans are a consistent feature of diets associated with a lower risk of cancer and other diet-related diseases. For cancer risk reduction, the American Cancer Society recommendation is to consume at least 2.5 cups of a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Other than dietary choices, weight control and physical activity levels are important modifiable determinants of cancer risk. This study finalized a novel, theory-driven farm-to-WIC intervention developed in preliminary work to promote vegetable intake among low-income adults served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In New Jersey (the location of the study), WIC provides participants up to $30 in seasonal Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers and monthly cash value vouchers or CVV (valued at $11 for adults and $8 for children at the time of the study) redeemable at farmers' markets. The program combined behaviorally focused nutrition education with the establishment of a WIC-based farmers' market (implemented in the summer of 2019 during the FMNP voucher issuance period). Content to address other modifiable determinants of cancer risk was added. To create additional opportunities for experiential and hands-on learning, monthly trips to an area farmers' market were held (between September 1, 2019 \[after the WIC-based market was discontinued\] and November 30, 2019 \[the end of the local growing season\]). The research employed an experimental design to initially test the intervention in 3 WIC agency sites (1 intervention and 2 control sites) with 297 urban, primarily Hispanic adults. Program effects on primary outcomes of vegetable intake (measured objectively using dermal carotenoids as a biomarker of intake and via self-report) and FMNP voucher redemption (objectively assessed using data provided by WIC) were examined at mid- and post-intervention (3 and 6 months post-baseline, respectively). Intervention effects on potential hypothesized mediators and the redemption of CVV at farmers' markets, participant satisfaction with the program, and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention also were examined.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
297
Behaviorally-focused intervention grounded in the Social Ecological Model and Social Cognitive Theory to promote vegetable intake and the redemption of seasonal Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers and monthly Cash Value Vouchers at farmers' markets.
Saint Joseph's WIC Program
Paterson, New Jersey, United States
Vegetable Intake Carotenoid Scores at 3 Months
Vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a reflection spectroscopy device (the Veggie Meter) to measure the level of carotenoid pigments in participants' skin (scores can range from 0 to 800). Higher scores indicate a better outcomes (higher carotenoid levels).
Time frame: 3 months
Vegetable Intake Carotenoid Scores at 6 Months
Vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a reflection spectroscopy device (the Veggie Meter) to measure the level of carotenoid pigments in participants' skin (scores can range from 0 to 800). Higher scores indicate a better outcomes (higher carotenoid levels).
Time frame: 6 months
Self-Reported Vegetable Intake at 3 Months
Assessed with one of two items in a screening instrument developed by the National Cancer Institute. Participants reported the number of cups of vegetables (including 100% vegetable juice) they ate or drank each day (range 0-7). Higher numbers represent a better outcome (higher cups/day of vegetables consumed).
Time frame: 3 months
Self-Reported Vegetable Intake at 6 Months
Assessed with one of two items in a screening instrument developed by the National Cancer Institute. Participants reported the number of cups of vegetables (including 100% vegetable juice) they ate or drank each day (range 0-7). Higher numbers represent a better outcome (higher cups/day of vegetables consumed).
Time frame: 6 months
Number of Participants Who Redeemed Any Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Vouchers at 6 Months
Objectively assessed using data provided by the collaborating WIC agency. WIC reported whether participants redeemed any FMNP vouchers (yes or no) from baseline to 6 months.
Time frame: 6 months
Knowledge of Vegetable Intake Recommendations at 3 Months
Assessed via self-report with an item from the National Cancer Institute's Food, Attitudes, and Behaviors (FAB) survey. Based on their responses, participants were classified as knowledgeable of the recommended cups per day (yes or no).
Time frame: 3 months
Knowledge of Vegetable Intake Recommendations at 6 Months
Assessed via self-report with an item from the National Cancer Institute's Food, Attitudes, and Behaviors (FAB) survey. Based on their responses, participants were classified as knowledgeable of the recommended cups per day (yes or no).
Time frame: 6 months
Home Vegetable Availability (Quantity) at 3 Months
Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. Responses were summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-23). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a higher number of vegetables at home).
Time frame: 3 months
Home Vegetable Availability (Quantity) at 6 Months
Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. Responses were summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-23). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a higher number of vegetables at home).
Time frame: 6 months
Home Vegetable Availability (Variety) at 3 Months
Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. The number of different (unique) vegetables reported was summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-21). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a greater variety of vegetables at home).
Time frame: 3 months
Home Vegetable Availability (Variety) at 6 Months
Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. The number of different (unique) vegetables reported was summed to derive a total score (range 0-21). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a greater variety of vegetables at home).
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 6 months
Vegetable Taste Preferences at 3 Months
Assessed with a single item (the Preference Rating Measure) querying overall, how much the participant likes the taste of vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (stronger vegetable taste preferences).
Time frame: 3 months
Vegetable Taste Preferences at 6 Months
Assessed with a single item (the Preference Rating Measure) querying overall, how much the participant likes the taste of vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (stronger vegetable taste preferences).
Time frame: 6 months
Vegetable Preparation Practices at 3 Months
Assessed via items from the Eating Among Teens and Young Adults Study (EAT)-II Survey (Laska et al., 2011). Participants reported how often, in the past month, they 1) bought fresh vegetables, 2) prepared a vegetable salad, and 3) prepared a dinner with vegetables. Responses were on a 5-point scale ranging from never to more than once a week. Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 1 to 15. Higher scores represent a better outcome (frequent use of the practices).
Time frame: 3 months
Vegetable Preparation Practices at 6 Months
Assessed via items from the Eating Among Teens and Young Adults Study (EAT)-II Survey (Laska et al., 2011). Participants reported how often, in the past month, they 1) bought fresh vegetables, 2) prepared a vegetable salad, and 3) prepared a dinner with vegetables. Responses were on a 5-point scale ranging from never to more than once a week. Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 1 to 15. Higher scores represent a better outcome (frequent use of the practices).
Time frame: 6 months
Vegetable Preparation Skills at 3 Months
Assessed via a single item (the Preparation Skills Rating Measure) querying how the participant would rate his or her overall skill in preparing vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from poor to excellent). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater vegetable preparation skills).
Time frame: 3 months
Vegetable Preparation Skills at 6 Months
Assessed via a single item (the Preparation Skills Rating Measure) querying how the participant would rate his or her overall skill in preparing vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from poor to excellent). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater vegetable preparation skills).
Time frame: 6 months
Social Support for Vegetable Consumption at 3 Months
Assessed via a single item (the Social Support Rating Measure) querying how much others support the participant to consume vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater social support for vegetable consumption).
Time frame: 3 months
Social Support for Vegetable Consumption at 6 Months
Assessed via a single item (the Social Support Rating Measure) querying how much others support the participant to consume vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater social support for vegetable consumption).
Time frame: 6 months
Self-efficacy for Vegetable Consumption at 3 Months
Assessed with a validated measure used to evaluate the Stellar Farmers' Market program (Dannefer et al., 2015). Participants rated how much they agreed or disagreed with statements designed to measure confidence in the ability to prepare and consume fresh produce. Item ratings are on a 4-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4). Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 5 to 20. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater self-efficacy for vegetable consumption).
Time frame: 3 months
Self-efficacy for Vegetable Consumption at 6 Months
Assessed with a validated measure used to evaluate the Stellar Farmers' Market program (Dannefer et al., 2015). Participants rated how much they agreed or disagreed with statements designed to measure confidence in the ability to prepare and consume fresh produce. Item ratings are on a 4-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4). Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 5 to 20. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater self-efficacy for vegetable consumption).
Time frame: 6 months
Body Mass Index at 3 Months
Height and weight were measured by trained research staff with participants wearing light clothing without shoes. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters.
Time frame: 3 months
Body Mass Index at 6 Months
Height and weight were measured by trained research staff with participants wearing light clothing without shoes. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters.
Time frame: 6 months
Number of Participants Who Met Physical Activity Guidelines at 3 Months
Assessed with a validated 2-item measure (the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool or BPAAT \[Marshall et al., 2005\]). The instrument consists of two questions, one that assesses the frequency and duration of vigorous intensity physical activity and one that assesses the frequency and duration of moderate intensity physical activity undertaken in a usual week. A scoring algorithm is used to derive a total score (scores can range from 0 to 8). Participants are classified as meeting current physical activity guidelines (yes or no) based on the scores (a score greater than or equal to 4 indicates that the participant is meeting current physical activity guidelines, whereas a score between 0 and 3 indicates that the participant is not).
Time frame: 3 months
Number of Participants Who Met Physical Activity Guidelines at 6 Months
Assessed with a validated 2-item measure (the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool or BPAAT \[Marshall et al., 2005\]). The instrument consists of two questions, one that assesses the frequency and duration of vigorous intensity physical activity and one that assesses the frequency and duration of moderate intensity physical activity undertaken in a usual week. A scoring algorithm is used to derive a total score (scores can range from 0 to 8). Participants are classified as meeting current physical activity guidelines (yes/no) based on the scores (a score greater than or equal to 4 indicates that the participant is meeting current physical activity guidelines, whereas a score between 0 and 3 indicates that the participant is not).
Time frame: 6 months