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Title: Development and pilot study findings of the Delta Garden Study

Author
item WEBER, JUDITH - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item MOORE, P - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item ROBBINS, J - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item WHITESIDE-MANSELL, L - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2012
Publication Date: 5/23/2012
Citation: Weber, J.L., Moore, P., Robbins, J., Whiteside-Mansell, L. 2012. Development and pilot study findings of the Delta Garden Study [abstract]. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2012 Annual Conference. Symposia Abstract S05.4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how school–based gardening programs can affect health and related behaviors and to assess how such programs can be sustainable over time and replicated to more settings. Across the world, there has been a recent revitalization and reinvention of gardening efforts, specifically in school-settings, to improve health and related behaviors. However, to date, very little evaluation has been done to assess the impact of gardening programs on health, nor have techniques and strategies to sustain school-based gardening programs been adequately identified. The overall goals are: 1) To highlight how gardening efforts have transitioned from historical food production to the westernization reincarnation of gardening for health; 2) To showcase school-based gardening interventions that have improved health (i.e., reduced obesity levels) and related behaviors (such as dietary intake and preference) in children and adolescents; and 3) To discuss key strategies that have been successful in both the development and sustainability of school gardens and garden-based programs. This session will include a historical overview of gardening efforts, how they have transitioned over the past century and have been revitalized to address many health issues, including obesity. We will highlight findings from three school-based interventions that have shown improvements in diet and health outcomes in both children and adolescents. We will also showcase a recently developed conceptual Model for Food and Garden-Based Education (MGBE) in school settings. We will conclude with an interactive discussion on key strategies to develop, expand and sustain school-based gardens and garden programs, including: ways to design and build school gardens; how to access available garden-based curricula; ties with essential community groups; seasonality issues; and incorporation into food production sources. The session format will begin with a historical overview of gardening and reincarnation of gardening for health; information will be presented on the effects of the LA Sprouts intervention on obesity and metabolic disease risk in elementary school children; information will be presented on the the effects of a 3-year Edible Schoolyard program on diet and related behaviors in elementary and middle school children: pilot study results on obesity and social behavior risk from the Delta Garden Study will be provided and an overview of the MGBE will be presented. The symposium will end with an open discussion of developmental and sustained ability issues related to school-based garden and gardening programs.