Prenatal Obesity Prevention: Group vs Individual Counseling and Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Redemption

To examine if variation in session format and content of a prenatal obesity prevention program is associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) voucher redemption in Hispanic/Latino pregnant participants.

A secondary analysis of participants who received FV vouchers in a single-arm feasibility trial. We used linear regressions to assess associations between program session format (group vs individual) and FV voucher redemption rate, with session content (nutrition vs other lifestyle content [e.g., stress management or physical activity]) as a secondary predictor.

Participants (n = 131) who attended a greater percentage of sessions in group format had increased voucher redemption rates (B = 0.37 [95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.70]. P = 0.03). Attending a higher percentage of group sessions with nutrition content rather than other lifestyle content was associated with a higher redemption rate (B = 0.19 [95% confidence interval, 0.002-0.38], P = 0.05).

Pairing FV voucher distribution with nutrition counseling delivered in a group format may increase utilization of FV vouchers.