Journal Article Ahead of print
PubMed: 41711610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2026.01.015
Call for Using Behavioral Science Theory for Design and Evaluation of Food Is Medicine Interventions: A Perspective Using a Case Study Approach.
J Nutr Educ Behav
Authors: Shreela Sharma, Naomi Tice, Maha Almohamad, Deanna M Hoelscher, Lorena Macias-Navarro, Wesley Gibson, Maria De La Cruz, Azar Gaminian, Mike Pomeroy, Esperanza Galvan, Melissa Melshenker Ackerman, Ru-Jye Chuang, Marcia C de Oliveira Otto, Alexandra E van den Berg, Christine Markham, Morgan Bily, Efua Bonnie Leke, Pamela D Berens, Nailini Ranjit
Affiliations
- Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health, the University of Texas Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
- Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health, the University of Texas Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
- Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, Austin, TX; Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health at Austin, Austin, TX.
- Population Health, Harris Health, Houston, TX.
- Brighter Bites, Houston, TX.
- Planet Harvest LLC, Glencoe, IL.
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health at Austin, Austin, TX.
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
Abstract
Food Is Medicine (FIM) programs are nutrition interventions integrated with the health care system to address food insecurity, improve diet quality, and prevent and manage diet-related conditions. However, few FIM programs use behavioral science frameworks to ground their intervention strategies. This article presents a case study of an FIM program for high-risk pregnant mothers. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, the intervention provides home-delivered produce, nutrition education, and community health worker support to improve food security, dietary behaviors, and pregnancy outcomes. This article demonstrates how using a behavioral science framework can structure intervention components, clarify mechanisms of change, and strengthen implementation outcomes.
MeSH
Diet, Food, Behavioral Sciences