The Effect of a Summer Garden Program on the Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Children

Abstract

<jats:p>Fifty-six children were included in a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a garden program designed to teach health and nutrition to second through fifth grade-level children. The specific objectives of the research project were to evaluate the effect of the program on nutritional knowledge of the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, nutritional attitudes toward fruit and vegetables, and eating behaviors of children, specifically consumption of fruit and vegetables. Children's nutritional knowledge was measured with an 11-question multiple-choice exam based on the educational activities performed. Children's nutritional attitudes regarding fruit and vegetables were measured with a fruit and vegetable preference questionnaire, and children's eating behaviors were evaluated with an interview question asking them what they ate for a snack that day. After participating in the nutritional program, children's knowledge about the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables significantly improved, but there were no significant differences found in participants' attitude scores toward fruit and vegetables. However, the participants did report eating healthier snacks after participation in the nutritional program.</jats:p>

Review and Analysis of the Benefits, Purposes, and Motivations Associated with Community Gardening in the United States

“…Studies were considered a case study if they provided an in-depth analysis of a community garden as a whole or a component of a single or small number of gardens or garden networks; 40% of the articles fit this criteria Campbell & Salus, 2003;Doyle & Krasney, 2003;Glover, 2003Glover, , 2004Glover, Parry, & Shinew, 2005;Henderson & Harsfield, 2009;Hess & Winner, 2007;Kurtz, 2001;Langhout et al, 2002;Lawson, 2007;Macias, 2008;Roubanis & Landis, 2007;SaldivarTanaka & Krasny, 2004;Schmelzkopf, 2002;Smith & Kurtz, 2003;Staeheli, Mitchell, & Gibson, 2002;Teig et al, 2009;Twiss et al, 2003). Intervention studies looked at community gardens as a tool for manipulating some variable (e.g., diet, collective efficacy, access to food) within a population, and made up 45% of the studies reviewed (Alaimo, Packnett, Miles, & Kruger, 2008;Armstrong, 2000a;Austin et al, 2006;D'Abundo & Carden, 2008;Glover, Shinew, & Parry, 2005;Heim et al, 2009;Hermann et al, 2006;Hoffman, Knight, & Wallach, 2007;Klemmer et al, 2005;Koch et al, 2006;Morris et al, 2001;Ohmer, Meadowcroft, Freed, & Lewis, 2009;Parmer et al, 2009;Poston et al, 2005;Shinew, Glover, & Parry, 2004;L. L. Smith & Motsenbocker, 2005;Waliczek & Zajicek, 1999).…”

“…Over one-third of the articles focused on youth gardening activities, within a school or after-school setting (Allen, Alaimo, Elam, & Perry, 2008;Blair, 2009;Doyle & Krasney, 2003;Heim, Stang, & Ireland, 2009;Hermann, Parker, Brown, Siewe, Denney, & Walker, 2006;Klemmer, Waliczek, & Zajicek, 2005;Koch, Waliczek, & Zajicek, 2006;Langhout, Rappaport, & Simmons, 2002;Morris, Neustadter, & Zidenberg-Cherr, 2001;Ozer, 2007;Parmer, Salisburg-Glennon, Shannon, & Struempler, 2009;Poston, Shoemaker, & Dzewaltowski, 2005;L. L. Smith & Motsenbocker, 2005;Waliczek & Zajicek, 1999).…”

LA Sprouts: A Garden-Based Nutrition Intervention Pilot Program Influences Motivation and Preferences for Fruits and Vegetables in Latino Youth

“…13,14 Studies suggest that having a direct experience with growing food increases children's understanding of food and its relationship to health. 15,16 Access to fresh FV is a key factor determining FV consumption, 17 and the federal obesity prevention initiative promotes gardening as a means to make healthy foods more affordable and accessible for families. 2 Programs that involve both gardening and nutrition components are not uncommon, are gaining popularity, and may be effective in increasing preferences for and improving dietary intake of FV in adolescents.…”

Exposure to a Comprehensive School Intervention Increases Vegetable Consumption

“…Because fruits and vegetables are lowenergy-dense foods that are high in essential micronutrients and can be expected to reduce obesity risk [8], such programs have often aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. The success of these programs varies widely; some have increased knowledge [9,10], several have increased preference for fruits and/or vegetables [9,11], and a few have increased consumption of fruit and/or vegetables [11][12][13][14][15]. When increases in F&V consumption are observed, the effect is more likely to be seen with fruits than with vegetables [13][14][15].…”