A Feasibility and Pilot Study of a Personalized Nutrition Intervention in Mobile Food Pantry Users in Northeastern Connecticut

Marmash, Dalia; Ha, Kyungho; Sakaki, Junichi R.; Hair, Rachel; Morales, Emma; Duffy, Valerie B.; Puglisi, Michael; Chun, Ock K.

Objective: This pilot study assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of personalized nutrition intervention for mobile food pantry users. Methods: The 8-week intervention recruited 25 participants in the control (n = 13) and in the treatment (n = 12) groups (60% obese). Personalized nutrition and health reports were generated based on baseline dietary intake and health status. The treatment group received weekly phone counseling and nutrition education, while the control group was only contacted to ensure compliance. The primary outcomes were 8-week changes in weight and diet quality score, assessed by the Healthy Eating Index. Results: The acceptability of the intervention was assessed by the eligibility rate, recruitment rate (62.5%), and drop-out rate (36%). Following the intervention, there was a significant decrease in weight (mean ± standard deviation, −2.3% ± 2.4%) among all participants (p < 0.05). Diet-quality improved (4.54% in treatment vs. 0.18% in control), but was ultimately non-significant (p = 0.284). Conclusions and Implications: A personalized nutrition education intervention in mobile food pantry users may be an acceptable and effective intervention to encourage weight loss through dietary improvements.