Using tailored meals to help people with diabetes and food insecurity
Official title: Food is Medicine: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Medically Tailored Meals For Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Food Insecurity
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10903741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how providing healthy, ready-to-eat meals can help people with type 2 diabetes who struggle to get enough food, and it also offers tips on managing their diabetes better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $567,894 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK125831-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 diabetes who experience food insecurity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetes or do not experience food insecurity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of medically tailored meals on individuals with type 2 diabetes who also face food insecurity. The program delivers fully prepared meals designed by registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the specific health needs of participants. By addressing both nutritional needs and barriers to meal preparation, the study aims to improve diabetes management and reduce complications. Participants will receive education on self-management of their condition alongside meal delivery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve diabetes control and reduce complications for individuals facing food insecurity.
How similar studies have gone: While medically tailored meal programs have gained attention, this research represents a novel full-scale trial specifically targeting diabetes outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berkowitz, Seth a — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Berkowitz, Seth a
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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.