Article
Community gardens: Interactions between communities, schools, and impact on students
The Health Educator
(2018)
Abstract
Considering over one-third of the United States' population is now considered obese, childhood obesity has become a highlighted public health concern. Educators and health professionals have spent a significant amount of time examining how to approach the obesity epidemic, specifically childhood obesity, yet there is still no clear solution. An alternative that could prove to be effective is the collaboration of community gardens and schools. Community gardens are indirectly organized to address public health agendas through community engagement and used for a broad spectrum of community needs ranging from enhanced food security, improved nutrition, increased levels of physical activity, heightened community desire for better social-economical relationships, and enriched psychological wellbeing. Community gardens are effective and the integration within schools could prove to be an effective means to promote health. The direct impacts of community gardens potentially provide a unique route to address childhood obesity through skill-based learning. This manuscript provides a commentary to advocate for the collaboration between community gardens organizations and local schools (elementary and middle) as an avenue to promote health.
Publication Date
2018
Citation Information
Matthew Bice, James Ball, Nate bickford, Sonja Bickford, et al.. "Community gardens: Interactions between communities, schools, and impact on students" The Health Educator Vol. 50 Iss. 1 (2018) p. 2 - 10 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/danae-dinkel/31/