Food-based nutrition program to improve pregnancies outcomes
Official title: Food is Medicine Intervention for Improving Pregnancy Outcomes
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11430797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large clinical trial will test if providing medically tailored groceries and nutrition education during pregnancy can reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes for pregnant people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $740,405 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD123806-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially those facing food insecurity, may be eligible to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience measurable improvements in outcomes or could have temporary changes in dietary practices.
What this research studies
This study recruits pregnant individuals at multiple sites to receive medically tailored groceries and nutrition education as part of their prenatal care, aiming to improve mom and baby health. The approach blends food access with healthcare by embedding a nutrition-focused program into routine prenatal visits. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the food-based intervention or standard care, and researchers will track pregnancy outcomes, maternal health, and baby growth. The trial seeks to understand how food support during pregnancy affects both immediate and long-term health risks for mothers and infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lead to fewer pregnancy complications and healthier babies by improving nutrition during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller studies suggest nutrition-support programs can help, but rigorous randomized evidence in prenatal care is limited and this trial tests scalability.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Fang Fang — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Fang Fang
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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.