Master Gardeners collaborate with Penn State College of Medicine study to explore the effects of gardening on factors for heart disease in adults.
Photo credit: Elias Morr on Unsplash
Master Gardeners assisted Penn State College of Medicine with a research study to explore the effects of gardening on factors for heart disease in adults. Dr. Susan Veldheer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, proposed that an introductory gardening program could influence participants to eat more fruits and vegetables and increase physical activity. In 2021, Master Gardeners provided gardening content for the study through short, how-to videos, as well as instruction and answers to specific gardening questions.
Data from the 2021 program indicated that 96% of participants rated the program as good or excellent, and they spent an average of 61 minutes a week engaged in gardening. It also indicated a measurable increase of fruit, vegetables, and fiber in the participants' diets.
