After-School Gardening Improves Children’s Reported Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity

Abstract

The USDA MyPyramid recommends increased amounts of fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, whole grains and physical activity for children. After-school programs incorporating gardening provide opportunities for hands-on food, nutrition and physical activity education for children. In-school gardens have been utilized to enhance children’s eating habits. In a survey of fourth grade teachers at schools reported to have gardens, 47% reported they taught nutrition along with the use of gardening and 43% reported they perceived the garden to be somewhat to very effective at enhancing children’s eating habits. Another study reported fourth grade children’s preference for some vegetables improved when in-school gardening was combined with nutrition education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) after-school education and gardening program on reported vegetable intake and physical activity among children in 3 through 8 grade.