Abstract
BACKGROUND: Engaging in health-promoting behaviors (e.g., healthy fruit- and vegetable-rich diet, physical activity) and living in supportive social and built environments are consistently and significantly associated with reductions in cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Interventions to change diet and physical activity behaviors should aim to educate individuals, change the environments in which people live, work and recreate, improve access, availability, and affordability of healthy foods, and create safe places the facilitate active lifestyles. This trial will assess whether community gardening increases fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, improves social support and mental health, and reduces age-associated weight gain and sedentary time among a multi-ethnic, mixed-income population. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial of community gardening began in Denver, Colorado in January 2017. Over 3 years, we will recruit 312 consenting participants on Denver Urban Gardens' waitlists and randomize them to garden or remain on the waitlist. At baseline (pre-gardening), harvest time, and post-intervention, study participants will complete three 24-hour dietary recalls, a 7-day activity monitoring period using accelerometry, a health interview and physical anthropometry. DISCUSSION: This project addresses health-promoting behaviors among a multi-ethnic, mixed-income adult population in a large metropolitan area. If successful, this trial will provide evidence that community gardening supports and sustains healthy and active lifestyles, which can reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03089177: Registered on 03/17/17.