RESEARCH

Green Experience: The Effect of Horticultural Activities on Children’s Physical and Mental Health and Dietary Behavior

This study examines the effects of horticultural activities on children’s physical and mental health, as well as their dietary behavior, through a school-based intervention

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth, General Population

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Improved Physical Health

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health

Access: Free

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Summary

The research involved 129 children in Taiwan, divided into an intervention group (who participated in six weeks of school gardening activities) and a control group (who did not). Results showed that children engaged in gardening had higher physical activity levels, improved mental well-being, and stronger connections to nature than those in the control group. However, there were no significant changes in their willingness to eat fruits and vegetables, suggesting that dietary behavior may require longer interventions to be influenced.

The study highlights gardening as an effective school-based intervention to promote physical activity and mental health, advocating for integrating natural spaces and gardening programs into school curricula. It also suggests that early exposure to nature can foster environmental awareness and well-being, though more research is needed to assess long-term dietary behavior changes

Link

Tseng, T.A., Chang, J.J., & Chang, Y.C. (2023). Green experience: The effect of horticultural activities on children’s physical and mental health and dietary behavior. HortScience, 58(6), 691-698.

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