School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study

Jennifer Utter; Simon Denny; Ben Dyson

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.11.022

School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study

Jennifer Utter^*
, Simon Denny
, Ben Dyson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of school gardens on student eating behaviors, physical activity and BMI in New Zealand secondary schools. The current study also aimed to determine if school gardens could buffer the association between household poverty and adolescent BMI.

Methods: Data were drawn from a national study of the health and wellbeing of New Zealand secondary school students (n = 8500) conducted in 2012. Multilevel regression models were used to determine the association between school gardens (school-level) and student nutrition behaviors, physical activity and measured BMI (student-level).

Results: Approximately half of secondary schools had a fruit/vegetable garden for students to participate in. School gardens were associated with lower student BMI (p = 0.01) and lower prevalence of overweight (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: School gardens appear to have a positive impact on student health. Future research may explore how school gardens are implemented to better understand their impact and to extend the benefits beyond the school community.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-4
Number of pages	4
Journal	Preventive Medicine
Volume	83
Early online date	2 Dec 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.11.022
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2016
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.11.022

Cite this

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title = "School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study",

abstract = "Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of school gardens on student eating behaviors, physical activity and BMI in New Zealand secondary schools. The current study also aimed to determine if school gardens could buffer the association between household poverty and adolescent BMI.Methods: Data were drawn from a national study of the health and wellbeing of New Zealand secondary school students (n = 8500) conducted in 2012. Multilevel regression models were used to determine the association between school gardens (school-level) and student nutrition behaviors, physical activity and measured BMI (student-level). Results: Approximately half of secondary schools had a fruit/vegetable garden for students to participate in. School gardens were associated with lower student BMI (p = 0.01) and lower prevalence of overweight (p < 0.01). Conclusions: School gardens appear to have a positive impact on student health. Future research may explore how school gardens are implemented to better understand their impact and to extend the benefits beyond the school community.",

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AU - Utter, Jennifer

AU - Denny, Simon

AU - Dyson, Ben

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N2 - Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of school gardens on student eating behaviors, physical activity and BMI in New Zealand secondary schools. The current study also aimed to determine if school gardens could buffer the association between household poverty and adolescent BMI.Methods: Data were drawn from a national study of the health and wellbeing of New Zealand secondary school students (n = 8500) conducted in 2012. Multilevel regression models were used to determine the association between school gardens (school-level) and student nutrition behaviors, physical activity and measured BMI (student-level). Results: Approximately half of secondary schools had a fruit/vegetable garden for students to participate in. School gardens were associated with lower student BMI (p = 0.01) and lower prevalence of overweight (p < 0.01). Conclusions: School gardens appear to have a positive impact on student health. Future research may explore how school gardens are implemented to better understand their impact and to extend the benefits beyond the school community.

AB - Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of school gardens on student eating behaviors, physical activity and BMI in New Zealand secondary schools. The current study also aimed to determine if school gardens could buffer the association between household poverty and adolescent BMI.Methods: Data were drawn from a national study of the health and wellbeing of New Zealand secondary school students (n = 8500) conducted in 2012. Multilevel regression models were used to determine the association between school gardens (school-level) and student nutrition behaviors, physical activity and measured BMI (student-level). Results: Approximately half of secondary schools had a fruit/vegetable garden for students to participate in. School gardens were associated with lower student BMI (p = 0.01) and lower prevalence of overweight (p < 0.01). Conclusions: School gardens appear to have a positive impact on student health. Future research may explore how school gardens are implemented to better understand their impact and to extend the benefits beyond the school community.

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School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study

Abstract

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Public health nutrition research

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School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study

Abstract

UN SDGs

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Public health nutrition research

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