Nurgul Fitzgerald

Nurgul Fitzgerald, PhD, MS, RDN is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist with the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University. Dr. Fitzgerald uses qualitative and quantitative methods involving behavioral, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants of nutrition and health. Her research focuses on community-based solutions to support nutrition security, and to prevent and control diet-related chronic diseases. Her teaching portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate level courses such as Community Nutrition, Nutrition Education & Communication, Culinary Medicine, and Nutritional Epidemiology. Dr. Fitzgerald served in several leadership roles for the American Society for Nutrition, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), where she received the Mid-Career Professional Achievement Award in 2024. She continues to serve on the Nutrition Educator Competencies Workgroup of SNEB and the Certification Committee of the American College of Culinary Medicine. 

Study Description: 

South Asian adults face a high burden of cardiometabolic diseases, which are associated with certain dietary intake patterns. Food is Medicine (FIM) approaches integrate the food and nutrition interventions with healthcare and can improve diet and health-related outcomes, but they are not typically tailored to the participants’ cultural characteristics that are important for the sustainability of behavioral changes. Our study aims to implement a culturally adapted FIM program for South Asian adults with cardiometabolic diseases. This mixed-methods study examines 1) the cultural preferences, perceived barriers and facilitators to participate in FIM programs, and 2) the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally tailored FIM program among South Asian adults with cardiometabolic diseases. The formative phase of this study involves semi-.    structured interviews with South Asian adults. The quasi-experimental, 4-arm FIM intervention phase includes medically tailored meals, culturally tailored groceries, and teaching kitchen educational sessions for South Asian adults and their families. Baseline, endline (at 1- or 2-month), and 3-month follow-up assessments include cultural, demographic, and psychosocial characteristics, dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric and biometric (blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol) measures as well as follow-up interviews with a focus on feasibility and acceptability of the program