Research Centre: The George Institute for Global Health
Location: This is a virtual study open to Sydney Metro NSW
Lead Researcher: Professor Jason Wu
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital)

We know that nutritious food is vital for good health, and more healthcare providers are testing healthy food or meal prescription programs to support improved health and wellbeing. This is why researchers at the George Institute for Global Health are looking for volunteers for this groundbreaking meal prescription study. And you could help!

Through this virtual study, researchers aim to examine the effects of a ‘Medically Tailored Meals’ (MTM) program in Australia and are looking to recruit participants with undermanaged type 2 diabetes who experience difficulties accessing and/or preparing nutritious meals. If this sounds like you, then consider signing up for this study today!

• Participants will receive either $225 in total of grocery vouchers or 20 home-delivered meals per fortnight over 6 months.
• Compensation will ONLY be provided to eligible participants who complete the study.
• Participants may experience improvements in blood sugar levels or other symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with type 2 diabetes in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 12 months and who have struggled to regularly get and eat foods that support health and well-being
• On average over the last year, your blood sugar control (measured by a doctor or at home with finger pricks) has been mostly higher than you’d like.
• Must be planning to stay in the Greater Sydney area over the next 7 months
• Must not have experienced severe low blood sugar in the last 6 months
• Must not be receiving end of life (hospice) or palliative care
• Must not be living in a facility that provides most or all meals
• Must have a freezer at home for storing study meals
• Must have a microwave for heating meals at home
• Must not receive free meal support (e.g. meals on wheels) from any sources
• Must not have any medical conditions that severely limit food intake or require individualized diets
• Must not have severe food allergies (Note: This does not include gluten or dairy/lactose intolerances)
• Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding
• Must not be diagnosed with cancer, severe chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or worse), or heart failure
• Must not currently be participating in any other lifestyle modification research trials
• Must be able to virtually attend the research study for approximately 7 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• After eligibility is confirmed, participants will have an equal chance of being assigned to either the group receiving the meals (intervention) or a comparison group (control).
• All participants will receive a blood pressure monitor and a weighing scale delivered to them free of charge. They will be contacted at at the start of the study, after 3 months, and again at the end of 6 months and required to complete a set of surveys via a secure link and/or over the phone with study staff.
• Four dietary surveys (twice at the start of the study and twice at the end of the study) will be conducted over the phone, asking about what food was eaten in the last 24 hours. This should take approximately 25 minutes to complete each time.

The George Institute for Global Health
The George Institute for Global Health is a leading independent global medical research institute with major centres in Australia, China, India, and the UK, and an international network of experts and collaborators. The George Institute for Global Health has a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide, particularly those living in disadvantaged circumstances, by challenging the status quo and using innovative approaches to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases and injuries.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person visits, allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home.