RESEARCH
Systematic Review on the Positive Mental Health Impact of Older Adults Participation in Horticultural Activities in Long Term Care Facilities
Summary
This study conducted a review of thirteen published studies focusing on the impact of garden-based programs in schools on dietary intake and related behaviors in children. A key aspect of the study’s design was its specific inclusion criteria, requiring studies to be in English, conducted in school settings with a garden component, and have baseline and post-intervention dietary measures. The review aimed to synthesize the findings from these diverse studies, which included prospective, quasi-experimental, and non-randomized controlled trials, notably none of which were randomized. The researchers sought to identify common strategies employed by these programs to understand what components might contribute to their success.
The methodology involved searching databases like Medline and Embase to identify relevant studies published between 1998 and 2016. The thirteen selected studies varied widely in terms of duration, target age group (kindergarten through 8th grade), socioeconomic background and ethnicity of participants, and the specific components of the garden interventions. The analysis focused on summarizing the reported outcomes on dietary intake and determinants of behavior, as well as identifying recurring strategies across the programs, such as ‘hands on’ activities, cooking components, and involvement of stakeholders. The study highlights the popularity of school gardens as a health promotion tool despite a noted paucity of rigorous empirical evidence.
