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Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Updated on 2025-07-08
720
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
This research aims to evaluate the effects of the Brighter Bites BB intervention on childrens cardiometabolic health and dietary habits in a persistent poverty area. Specifically, it compares changes in primary child outcomes such as HbA1c levels and vegetable intake between the intervention and a wait-list control group. The study also assesses secondary outcomes like household food security, parent and child dietary behaviors, and home availability of fruits and vegetables, while exploring how these factors influence child health outcomes over time. Participants in the intervention group receive fresh fruit and vegetable distributions of about 20 pounds per family for around 16 weeks during the school year, combined with nutrition education through the Coordinated Approach to Child Health CATCH program for children and bilingual nutrition handbooks plus healthy recipe tastings for parents and families. A delayed intervention group will receive the same Brighter Bites program after their study participation ends. The study includes follow-up assessments up to 21 months to observe long-term effects and dose-response relationships. During the study, children and parents undergo evaluations including measuring child HbA1c, vegetable intake using the VEGGIE METER, blood pressure, and surveys assessing food security, dietary habits, and home fruit and vegetable availability. Data are collected at baseline, post-intervention at 9 months, and follow-up at 21 months. The study monitors changes in these health and behavioral measures to understand the impact of the intervention on diet, adiposity, and metabolic outcomes in children and parents.
CONDITIONS
Evaluating the Impact of a School-based Fruit and Vegetable Co-op on Cardiometabolic Child and Parents Health in a Persistent Poverty Area
S
Shreela Sharma, PhD
E
Emily Adlparvar
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The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | Brighter Bites School-based Co-op | No Added Intervention (Control) | Current National Guideline-Recommended School Nutrition Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | A school-based program providing families 16 weeks of fresh fruits and vegetables (~20 lbs per family per week) during the school year, combined with classroom nutrition education (CATCH curriculum) for children, bilingual nutrition handbooks for parents, and healthy recipe tastings at produce pickup. | No school-based produce distribution, nutrition education, or healthy food tastings delivered during study; continues standard school curriculum and services. | Nationally recommended practices for schools serving low-income children include offering universal/free school meals, implementing evidence-based nutrition education (such as CATCH or similar curricula), and supporting fruit/vegetable access (for example, through the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or School Breakfast and Lunch Programs). |
| Role in Study | Primary intervention assigned by randomization to selected schools and their enrolled students/families. | Randomized comparator group continues routine school services but does not receive program intervention. | Standard school nutrition and health programming in accordance with existing federal/state guidance for schools serving high-poverty populations. |
| Primary Purpose/Use | To prevent child obesity and improve cardiometabolic health in students and parents by increasing fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition knowledge using school-based coordinated education and produce access. | Observes outcomes without any added intervention to compare changes with those in the intervention group. | To promote healthy diet patterns, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and support healthier weights and metabolic health in children through school meals, nutrition education, and access programs. |
| How It Works / Provided | Participating families collect ~20 lbs of fresh produce per week for about 16 weeks of the school year. Children receive classroom nutrition lessons (CATCH curriculum), while parents get bilingual handbooks and engage in healthy recipe tastings during produce pickup. | Students and families continue with normal school routine, without produce distributions, nutrition classes, or special food events during the study. | Schools are advised to provide free/reduced-price meals, implement evidence-based nutrition education curricula, and increase fruit/vegetable access via USDA-supported school programs or co-ops. Actual delivery varies by local resources and adherence. |
| Evidence Status | Currently enrolling; outcome data on child HbA1c, vegetable intake, and household food security will be collected at baseline and post-intervention (9 months) and are not yet available. | Will serve as a comparison for evaluating changes in health outcomes among participants not receiving the program. Results are pending study completion. | Multiple studies and national guidelines support school-based nutrition education and meal programs to increase fruit and vegetable intake and reduce risk factors for obesity and metabolic disease in children, though program intensity and outcomes vary. |
| Important Limitations | Results are not yet available, and actual impact may depend on family participation with both produce pickup and classroom/parent activities. Implementation and engagement levels can vary between schools and families, which may affect outcomes. | Participants may access other school-based or community nutrition supports outside the trial, and the absence of new programming does not control for all outside influences on health or diet. | Actual implementation of guideline-recommended nutrition programs and produce access varies widely by school, district, and funding. Not all schools can fully deliver recommended activities due to resource and participation barriers. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
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Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 16 weeks
Participants in the intervention group receive fresh fruits and vegetables distributions for about 16 weeks during the school year, along with nutrition education for children and parents.
Weekly visits for produce pick-up and nutrition education activities
Duration - 9 months
Participants are followed for 9 months after the intervention to assess changes in health outcomes such as child HbA1c levels, vegetable intake, household food security, and dietary behaviors.
1 visit at 9 months post intervention
Duration - Up to 21 months from baseline
Participants are assessed again for long-term effects of the intervention on diet, adiposity, and metabolic outcomes at about 21 months after baseline.
1 visit at 21 months follow-up
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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Shreela Sharma, Mackenzie Senn, Ru-Jye Chuang...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42229798/The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
