Growing Health and Quality of Life: Benefits of Urban Organic Community Gardens

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize the horticulturists of an urban garden in terms of their current state of health and health behaviors (at gardening beginning) and to evaluate the effect of horticulture practice on health behaviors and quality of life (after a six month gardening stretch). Introduction: The way in which cities have grown, with heavy air and noise pollution, reduced green spaces, a long distance and out of season food based system and limited sunshine access has led to multiple public health challenges. This in turn has prompted the emergence of various local and state policies aimed at improving the health and quality of life of urbanites. Method: Interviews using structured questionnaires were conducted twice with 115 city dwellers: when they got started in a vegetable garden and about 6 months later. Results: Participants were mainly female (57.8%), professionally active (48.0%) and with a mean age of 53 years. This research showed significant behavioral changes among its users, including positive outcomes in anthropometric parameters, physical activity, smoking habits, eating habits, health status and overall quality of life. Conclusion: Despite a short follow-up period, it could be shown that gardening did influence health and quality of life behaviors.

Effect of different cooking methods on the content of total vitamin C, ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid of the galega kale

“…View Crossmark data Discussion and conclusions: Our results meet those of recent studies that enhance the importance of UG in feeding populations, especially those with diminished food security and low access to fresh quality products [6][7][8]. Increased level of activity, higher fruit and vegetable consumption, along with savings in the family budget were referred by gardeners supporting the need for a more in-depth study.…”

Can urban gardens improve food security, health, well-being and financial sustainability of households?

“…Discussion and conclusions: Our results meet those of recent studies that enhance the importance of UG in feeding populations, especially those with diminished food security and low access to fresh quality products [6][7][8]. Increased level of activity, higher fruit and vegetable consumption, along with savings in the family budget were referred by gardeners supporting the need for a more in-depth study.…”

Co-Creating Value in Sustainable and Alternative Food Networks: The Case of Community Supported Agriculture in New Zealand

“…In parallel, it is possible to identify other residents on the area. In discussing the CG format, scholars have broadly focused on their role in facilitating access to food resources, strengthening community resilience, particularly in remote or rural areas [45,46], enhancing interpersonal and social relationships and sense of community [47,48] and contributing to people's health and wellbeing [49,50], more strongly than the preservation of natural resources and sustainability [51].…”