Publications, Grants, and Media
Selected Publications:
Saxe-Custack A,Todem D, Anthony J, Kerver J, LaChance J, Hanna-Attisha M. Effect of a pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription program on child dietary patterns, food security, and weight status: a study protocol. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):150. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12544-y
Saxe-Custack A, Egan S. Flint Families Cook: A virtual cooking and nutrition program for families. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2022;54:359-363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2022.01.002
Saxe-Custack A, Lofton H, Dawson C, Egan S, Hanna-Attisha M. “The shelves are bare”: The impact of COVID-19 on families enrolled in a pediatric produce prescription program. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31540
Saxe-Custack A, LaChance J, Hanna-Attisha M, Goldsworthy M, Ceja T. Household supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation is associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2021. 53(12):P1060-1065. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.06.017.
Saxe-Custack A, LaChance J, Jess J, Hanna-Attisha M. Influence of a pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription program on child dietary patterns and food security. Nutrients. 2021; 13(8):2619. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082619.
Saxe-Custack A, Goldsworthy M, Lofton HC, Hanna-Attisha M, Nweke O. Family perceptions of a cooking and nutrition program for low-income children and adolescents. Global Pediatric Health. 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X21989525
Saxe-Custack, A.; LaChance, J., Hanna-Attisha, M., Dawson, C. Flint Kids Cook: Positive influence of a farmers’ market cooking and nutrition programme on health-related quality of life of US children in a low-income, urban community. Public Health Nutrition. 2020;24(6):1492-1500. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898002000395X
Saxe-Custack A, Sadler R, LaChance J, Hanna-Attisha M, Ceja T. Participation in a fruit and vegetable prescription program for pediatric patients is positively associated with farmers' market shopping. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(12): E4202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124202
Saxe-Custack, A.; LaChance, J., Hanna-Attisha, M. Child consumption of whole fruit and fruit juice following six months of exposure to a pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription program. Nutrients. 2020; 12(1):25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010025
Saxe-Custack A, Lofton HC, Hanna-Attisha M, Tata Z, Ceja T, LaChance J. Caregiver experiences with an innovative farmers' market incentive program for children in Flint, Michigan. Global Pediatric Health. 2019;6:2333794X19870989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X19870989
Saxe-Custack A, Kerver JM, Mphwanthe G, Weatherspoon L. Participant experiences in a paraprofessional-led weight management program for children and families. Sage Open Medicine. 2019; 7:2050312119863920. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312119863920
Saxe-Custack A, LaChance J, Hanna-Attisha M, Ceja T. Fruit and vegetable prescriptions for pediatric patients living in Flint, Michigan: A cross-sectional study of food security and dietary patterns at baseline. Nutrients. 2019; 11(6):1423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061423
Saxe-Custack A, Hanna-Attisha M, Zvoch K. Fruit and vegetable prescriptions for pediatric patients in Flint, Michigan: Program development, methods, and baseline characteristics. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2019; 3(Suppl 1): NZZ051.FS02-05-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz051.FS02-05-19
Saxe-Custack A, Lofton H, Hanna-Attisha M, Victor C, Reyes G, Ceja T, LaChance J. Caregiver perceptions of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme for low-income paediatric patients. Public Health Nutrition. 2018. 21(13):2497-2506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000964
Saxe-Custack A, Weatherspoon L. A qualitative assessment of self-management priorities among persons with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2014; 46(4):S186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2014.04.283
Research Projects:
Michigan Health Endowment Fund
09/01/2021 to 08/31/2023
Funding amount: $482,323
Expansion of Produce Prescriptions: A Prenatal Pilot
Prior research supports the efficacy of a pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) that provides one $15 prescription to all patients at each office visit in reaching the Flint demographic to successfully reduce food insecurity and improve dietary intake. Recognizing that nutrition education and security must start as early as possible and that early childhood habits portend adult health, this new two-year proposed project expands our evidence-based FVPP to the prenatal population. This prenatal pilot program will start in one large Flint obstetric clinic, the Hurley Women’s Health Center, with the long-term goal of widespread adoption across Flint and Genesee County.
Role: Principal Investigator
NIH-NICHD
09/01/2020 to 08/31/2023
Innovative Nutrition Practices in Pediatric Health Care: Assessment of a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program for Children in Need
The goal of the project is to assess the influence of pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription programs (FVPP) on food security, child dietary patterns, and weight status. To do this, we will compare demographically similar pediatric patient groups from three large urban clinics based on their exposure to an FVPP: high exposure (>24 months), moderate exposure (12-24 months), and no previous exposure. We will then introduce the FVPP to never exposed patients and collect, record, and compare changes in dietary intake, food security, and weight status over time. Results will provide novel knowledge regarding the role of pediatric FVPP in addressing persistent barriers to access and affordability of fresh produce.
Role: Principal Investigator
Selected Media Coverage:
ABC12: Getting nutrition back on track as kids head back to school
ABC12: Flint children’s fruit and vegetable prescriptions expand to county’s largest clinic
Flint Beat: Flint Families Learn How to Cook Lead-mitigating Meals from a Pro Chef
PBS News Hour: Flint Fights Lead Poisoning with Farmers Markets and Cooking Classes
U.S. News: Innovative Hub Feeds the Need for Fresh Produce in Flint
MSUToday: Flint inspires national nutrition prescription program in U.S. Farm Bill
Stateside, Michigan Radio NPR: Kids leave this Flint doctor’s office with a prescription for fruits and veggies
Michigan Good Food Fund: Food is helping Flint recover and reimagine itself
Today's Dietician: Fruit and veggie prescriptions encourage healthful eating in children
Flint Side: Prescriptions for nutrition: How culinary medicine is advancing health equity in Michigan
MSU Today: MSU scientists improve health for children and seniors through better nutrition
MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Flint Kids Cook - - MSU community collaborations
Gizmodo: After the water crisis, Thanksgiving in Flint is about healing