Nutrition and Health Sciences, Department of
ORCID IDs
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8298-3690
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6686-3891
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6186-2822
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2346-8151
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6069-9939
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6904-7614
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3504-5826
Date of this Version
9-4-2019
Citation
2019 by the authors
Abstract
Gardening has been positively associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption based on short-term studies among children, but long-term data among adolescents and young adults are lacking. This investigation sought to elucidate the association between gardening experience and FV intake among college students over a two-year period. Students (N = 593) from eight universities were assessed at the end of their freshman (Y1) and sophomore (Y2) years during the springs of 2016 and 2017, respectively. At each time point, participants completed the NCI FV Screener and questions related to gardening experience and FV-related attitudes and behaviors. Students were then categorized into four groups based on gardening experience: Gardened only during the first or second year (Y1 only and Y2 only gardeners), gardened both years (Y1+Y2 gardeners), and non-gardeners. While both Y1 only and Y1+Y2 gardeners reported significantly higher FV intake relative to non-gardeners at Y1 (2.3 0.9 and 2.6 0.7 versus 1.9 0.6 cup equivalents (CE)/day, respectively; p < 0.01), only Y1+Y2 gardeners differed from non-gardeners at Y2 (2.4 0.6 versus 1.8 0.5 CE/day; p < 0.001). Additionally, Y1+Y2 gardeners reported more frequent engagement of several FV-related behaviors, including shopping at farmers’ markets, eating locally grown foods, and cooking from basic ingredients; and were five times more likely to have gardened during childhood (OR: 5.2, 95%, CI: 3.5–8.8; p < 0.001). Findings suggest that while isolated gardening experiences during college are associated with FV intake, reoccurring experience may be essential for sustained benefit.
Included in
Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Molecular, Genetic, and Biochemical Nutrition Commons, Other Nutrition Commons
Comments
Nutrients 2019, 11, 2088; doi:10.3390/nu11092088 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients