Systems Science Approaches to Improve Access to Healthier Foods: The FRESH Trial

Description

Working with independently owned restaurants, a common source of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods in predominantly minority, low-income urban neighborhoods, has the potential to improve dietary quality, and contribute to cancer prevention. This study uses systems science approaches to improve access to healthier foods in independently owned restaurants by: 1) testing the effects of a novel intervention called FRESH (Focus on Restaurant Engagement to Strengthen Health) on dietary quality, health indicators and other outcomes in African American and Latin communities, and 2) developing a system dynamics model to allow stakeholders to virtually test FRESH strategies in their own communities. The resulting restaurant intervention simulation model offers potential cost savings from avoided trial-and-error testing, and will support community-based cancer prevention.

Conditions

Healthy Eating Index

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Working with independently owned restaurants, a common source of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods in predominantly minority, low-income urban neighborhoods, has the potential to improve dietary quality, and contribute to cancer prevention. This study uses systems science approaches to improve access to healthier foods in independently owned restaurants by: 1) testing the effects of a novel intervention called FRESH (Focus on Restaurant Engagement to Strengthen Health) on dietary quality, health indicators and other outcomes in African American and Latin communities, and 2) developing a system dynamics model to allow stakeholders to virtually test FRESH strategies in their own communities. The resulting restaurant intervention simulation model offers potential cost savings from avoided trial-and-error testing, and will support community-based cancer prevention.

Systems Science Approaches to Improve Access to Healthier Foods: The FRESH Trial

Systems Science Approaches to Improve Access to Healthier Foods: The FRESH Trial

Condition
Healthy Eating Index
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Baltimore

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Adult (18-75 years)
  • * Regular restaurant customer (e.g., visits the specified restaurant at least 1x/week)
  • * Live in a household of at least 2 persons (criterion intended to provide a more stable sample, and to reduce loss to follow-up)
  • * Current resident of study neighborhood
  • * Anticipate moving out of Baltimore or District of Columbia metropolitan area in the next 18 months
  • * Pregnant (due to changes in diet, weight and body composition)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,

Joel Gittlesohn, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Study Record Dates

2026-10-31