Impact of Food Literacy Education on Rural, Uninsured Patients With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the efficacy of the Fresh Start Food is Medicine (FIM) + Food Literacy intervention on food literacy and racial/ethnic variances among rural, uninsured patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 150). METHODS: A single-group prepost intervention including 9 theory-grounded group classes focusing on food literacy. Prepost total and individual food literacy construct scores were examined using a validated tool. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures analysis of variance were conducted, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Total food literacy scores improved (P = 0.006). Hispanic patients had lower total food literacy (P < 0.001), meal planning/prepping (P = 0.005), shopping (P = 0.008), and budgeting (P = 0.003) scores compared with White patients. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Findings suggest disparities in food literacy may persist among racial/ethnic minorities, even after participating in food literacy education. Developing and evaluating culturally tailored food literacy educational approaches for racial/ethnic minorities may be warranted.