Evaluating the impact of a nutrition program on obesity and heart health
Official title: Effectiveness of Recipe4Health on Obesity and Cardiometabolic Health: A natural experiment
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11030829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a cooking program called Recipe4Health can help people on Medi-Cal in California who are dealing with obesity and heart health issues, by comparing those who join the program to others in the same community who don’t, all while focusing on making healthy food more accessible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $709,305 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140186-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030829 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Medi-Cal beneficiaries in California who are experiencing obesity or related cardiometabolic issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in Medi-Cal or those without obesity or cardiometabolic health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a nutrition intervention called Recipe4Health can improve obesity and cardiometabolic health among Medi-Cal beneficiaries in California. By leveraging a recent policy change, the study will compare participants receiving this program to a control group from the same diverse community. The approach focuses on addressing food insecurity and its relationship with chronic diseases through a 'Food as Medicine' model. Data collection will begin promptly to ensure timely follow-up before the policy expires.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for individuals struggling with obesity and related chronic conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar 'Food as Medicine' interventions, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosas, Lisa Goldman — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Rosas, Lisa Goldman
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Childhood obesity and cardiometabolic health in Latino youth from low-income families
This project follows Mexican American kids from birth through mid-adolescence to understand how weight and heart health develop over time.
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Recipe4Health program for weight and heart health
This project compares Medi‑Cal patients who get Recipe4Health’s produce prescriptions and health coaching with similar patients who don’t, to see if it helps weight and heart-related health.
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Comparing prescription weight-loss medicines for heart and metabolic health
This project compares different prescription weight-loss medicines to see how they affect heart health, diabetes-related outcomes, and use of health care among adults.
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Understanding Childhood Obesity and Heart Health in Mexican American Youth
This project looks at existing information to understand why obesity and heart-related health issues are common in Mexican American children and teenagers from low-income families.
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Comparing the effectiveness of weight loss medications for heart and metabolic health
This study looks at how various weight loss medications can help improve heart and overall health in adults with obesity, so doctors can better choose the right options for their patients trying to manage their weight and related health concerns.
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Training new researchers to help reduce obesity and improve heart health
This study is all about finding new ways to help people manage their weight and improve their heart and metabolic health, focusing on what really works for keeping weight off and making healthy lifestyle changes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.