Improving food choices in pantries to enhance heart health
Official title: Community-engaged Design and Implementation of a Behavioral Economics Food Choice Intervention in Food Pantries to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11057595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping people who struggle to get enough healthy food by creating a friendly online menu that encourages better food choices, and it involves working closely with clients and staff at food pantries to make sure it meets their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,675 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL173655-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing food insecurity who utilize food pantries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have reliable access to nutritious food and do not use food pantries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing food insecurity, which affects many Americans and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. By engaging clients and staff at food pantries, the project aims to co-design digital nudges that encourage healthier food selections through an online menu system. The approach includes systematic interviews and focus groups to gather feedback and adapt these nudges to be more appealing and effective. Ultimately, the goal is to make healthy food options more accessible and attractive to those in need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dietary choices among food pantry clients, thereby reducing their risk of cardiovascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that behavioral nudges can effectively influence food choices, suggesting potential success for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Jenny — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Jia, Jenny
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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.