Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-1683

Date Available

2-6-2019

Year of Publication

2019

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems (MSNFS)

College

Agriculture, Food and Environment

Department/School/Program

Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Advisor

Dr. Dawn Brewer

Abstract

Objective: Measures the impact of the Farmers’ Market Voucher program on weight, body mass index, waist circumference, during the 2016 summer on a rural, low-income population residing in Appalachian Kentucky.

Background: Rural communities often have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables (FV) which contributes to low levels of consumption. FV are calorie poor, nutrient dense and are inversely associated with inflammation markers, obesity, hypertension, and high blood glucose levels. Appalachian rural communities have a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, strokes, and death by heart attack when compared to the U.S. Farmers’ markets

Methods: Pre-experimental intervention design examining FV consumption and variety. T-test used measuring biochemical outcomes, pre and post, participation, and voucher amount.

Results: Medical clinic patients (n=308) and household members (n=89) participated in study. Patients had a decrease in blood glucose and waist circumference (p=0.0231, p=0.0014 respectively). Patients had greater blood glucose reductions when compared to household members (p < 0.001). Patients reported consuming more FV with greater variety.

Conclusion: The Farmers’ Market Voucher program successfully increased FV consumption and had a positive effect on blood glucose and waist circumference. Future studies should examine cooking methods of this population.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.020

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