Food as Medicine, or FAM, is defined by the Academy as “a philosophy where food and nutrition aids individuals through interventions that support health and wellness.” Previous evidence has demonstrated that FAM interventions led by registered dietitian nutritionists, such as medically tailored meal or food programs, prescription programs, personalized nutrition education, path-to-purchase marketing and incentive programs, can improve nutrition and health outcomes.
Food retail settings are an ideal setting for RDNs to provide nutrition services directly to consumers and implement food as medicine interventions. However, there is a gap in evidence regarding RDN perceptions of FAM as a concept, its definition and how to integrate FAM interventions in food retail spaces.
To address this, a project led by the Academy Foundation’s Nutrition in Food Retail Program Development Fellow included a survey that was sent to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members in the summer of 2021. Eligible RDNs were asked about their familiarity and perception of food as medicine and, if RDNs worked in the food retail setting, they were asked about FAM program models in their setting.
The results of this project can be used to understand RDN perception of food as medicine and prioritize future FAM program models in the food retail setting. Support for this project was funded through a grant from Walmart. Read more in this article published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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