Fresh Connect Food Rx to improve nutrition for high‑risk pregnant mothers
Official title: Accelerating Healthcare Engagement in Healthy Food Interventions - Food Rx in High Risk Pregnant Mothers With About Fresh and Community Health Choice
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT06275568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether giving low-income, high-risk pregnant women in Houston a Fresh Connect Food Rx card to buy fresh produce plus nutrition education helps limit gestational weight gain and improve pregnancy, birth, and food security outcomes.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 620 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 3, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06275568 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are high-risk pregnant women receiving care through Texas Children's Health Plan in Houston who are under 20 weeks gestation and have overweight/obesity or a history of diabetes or hypertension.
✕Probably not a fit
Women who are not enrolled in Texas Children's Health Plan, present after 20 weeks gestation, or do not meet the listed high-risk criteria are unlikely to qualify or receive benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program provides consistent access to fresh produce through a Fresh Connect Food Rx card used at grocery stores combined with nutrition education and varying levels of engagement communication. Participants are enrolled at their first prenatal visit before 20 weeks' gestation and will be followed through 60 days postpartum (up to about 11 months). Comparison groups include usual care, Fresh Connect cardholder engagement, and enhanced engagement communication. Primary outcomes include gestational weight gain, other pregnancy and birth outcomes, and measures of food and nutrition security.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce excessive gestational weight gain, improve some pregnancy and birth outcomes, and increase household food security for at-risk mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous produce-prescription and food‑is-medicine programs have improved fruit and vegetable intake and food security in other populations, but evidence specifically showing benefits for gestational weight gain and birth outcomes is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Less than or equal to 20 weeks medically confirmed viable pregnancy * high-risk pregnant mothers receiving care at Community Health Choice managed care organizations in Houston, Texas (High risk may include overweight/obese pre-pregnancy or at first trimester (self-report or measured BMI\>30.0), and/or prior history of diabetes or gestational diabetes, and/or prior history of hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension) Exclusion Criteria: * Does not Speak English or Spanish
Where it's running
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Shreela Sharma, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
- Study coordinator: Shreela Sharma, PhD
- Email: Shreela.V.Sharma@uth.tmc.edu
- Phone: (713) 500-9344
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.