New frontiers in community initiatives to increase vegetable consumption

Abstract

Issue addressed Public health concerns about insufficient consumption of vegetables across all demographics in Australia have led to 20 years of behaviour change interventions ranging from social marketing to interactive small group programs, with modest results. To maximise health promotion intervention outcomes, practitioners need up‐to‐date information that helps them navigate the complexity of food systems and eating behaviours. Methods This scoping review of Australian and international research, including peer‐reviewed and grey literature, provides a picture of health promotion nutrition interventions, as well as other initiatives that may promote increased vegetable consumption. Search terms related to nutrition and vegetable consumption, type of intervention or initiative, for example, campaign; and consumer values and behaviour. A wide range of data sources were used including scholarly papers, market research reports and publicly available websites of community organisations (eg, OOOOBY). A broad food systems typology was developed to provide a framework for the review. Results The review finds an emerging group of community‐driven initiatives within local food systems that appear to have positive impacts on vegetable consumption. These initiatives sit within a multi‐faceted approach to health and well‐being that is consistent with the tenets of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, including community engagement, social justice and sustainability goals. Conclusions More research into the impact of these new frontiers is needed, but our preliminary findings point to the potential for health promotion practitioners to collaborate on local/community food system initiatives that are not motivated primarily by health goals, but have the potential to deliver multiple health and environmental outcomes. So what? This review demonstrated community‐driven initiatives around local food systems show the most promise in promoting vegetable consumption and addressing the determinants of health. Health promotion efforts to encourage food security and healthy eating could be strengthened through collaborations within these new frontiers.

Addressing nutrition and social connection through community gardening: A South Australian study

“…The increased feeling of connection and belonging to their local community contributed to participants feeling less isolated and more supported. This attribute of community gardening is well documented by other studies . Community gardening is recognised as conferring collective efficacy whereby the benefits extend beyond the gardening experience and the garden setting to positively impact broader aspects of individual and community life .…”

“…Through their involvement in growing and sharing food, participants reported higher levels of household fruit and vegetable consumption. This has also been reported by Noy et al and Barnidge et al . Programs like MH can therefore be said to have contributed to improving food and nutrition security, defined as adequate access to safe, nutritious and socially acceptable food .…”

“…The MH program therefore afforded participants some empowerment to shape their food environment through engaging in an alternative, local food production system, albeit at a micro level. As a community gardening initiative, the MH program offers a holistic approach to health and creates opportunities for health promotion as outlined in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion such as (i) creating supportive environments, (ii) strengthening community action and (iii) developing personal skills …”

“…This attribute of community gardening is well documented by other studies. 16,17 Community gardening is recognised as conferring collective efficacy whereby the benefits extend beyond the gardening experience and the garden setting to positively impact broader aspects of individual and community life. 2,3 The social connectedness, reciprocal relationships of trust, respect, sharing and care, reported by participants is captured by the concept of social capital which is known to be protective for health.…”

Prescribing physical activity and nutrition

“…Social engagement and positive dietary changes were also reported by Kaye Mehta and colleagues through community gardening with participants reporting the consumption of a wider variety of fruit and vegetables. A scoping review of community initiatives and interventions associated with vegetable intake identified the opportunity for community‐driven initiatives within local food systems to increase vegetable consumption and a potential to build healthy public policy. Sharleen Gonzalez and colleagues report few junior community football clubs have a written healthy eating policy or practices to increase the availability of healthier soft drinks, fruit and vegetables despite support from club representatives and parents/carers.…”