RESEARCH

Community Gardens: Interactions between Communities, Schools, and Impact on Students

Integrating community gardens into schools may help to combat childhood obesity and promote overall health by improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and fostering community engagement.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Physical Health, Better Nutritional Awareness, Community Building

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This article discusses the potential of community gardens as a tool to address public health concerns, particularly childhood obesity. Over one-third of the United States population is considered obese, making childhood obesity a prominent issue. Community gardens, which inherently address public health agendas through community engagement, can be integrated into schools to promote health by enhancing food security, improving nutrition, increasing physical activity levels, fostering social-economical relationships, and enriching psychological well-being.

The authors examine the influence of community gardens on community health and how they have evolved as a public health intervention, including different types such as leisure gardens, privately owned gardens, and school gardens. Additionally, they can provide access to fresh produce, opportunities for physical activity through gardening, and improved mental well-being due to community collaboration and connection with nature. The authors advocate for collaboration between community garden organizations and local schools to promote health by teaching children the link between nutrition, physical activity, and their health.

Link

Bice, M.R., Ball, J., Bickford, N. et al. (2018). Community gardens: Interactions between communities, schools, and impact on students. The Health Educator, 50(1).

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