Abstract
Objective
To determine the association between household participation in a community garden
and fruit and vegetable consumption among urban adults.
Design
Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional random phone survey conducted in 2003. A
quota sampling strategy was used to ensure that all census tracts within the city
were represented.
Setting
Flint, Michigan
Participants
766 adults
Variables Measured
Fruit and vegetable intake was measured using questionnaire items from the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System. Household participation in a community garden was
assessed by asking the respondent if he or she, or any member of the household, had
participated in a community garden project in the last year.
Analysis
Generalized linear models and logistic regression models assessed the association
between household participation in a community garden and fruit and vegetable intake,
controlling for demographic, neighborhood participation, and health variables.
Results
Adults with a household member who participated in a community garden consumed fruits
and vegetables 1.4 more times per day than those who did not participate, and they
were 3.5 times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables at least 5 times daily.
Conclusions and Implications
Household participation in a community garden may improve fruit and vegetable intake
among urban adults.
Key Words
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Article Info
Footnotes
The Speak to Your Health! Community Survey was supported by the Prevention Research Center of Michigan (PRC) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grant No. U48/CCU515775) and the Genesee County Health Department, Flint, Michigan.
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
