Community Activation for Prevention (CAPs): A Study of Community Gardening

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators previous studies show that community gardening is associated with reduction of key health behaviors for cancer prevention in diverse populations. Community gardeners eat more fruits and vegetables per day, are more physically active, and are more likely to avoid age-associated increase in body mass index (BMI). The effect is partially explained by the finding that gardeners are more socially involved, and feel more social support than non-gardeners. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial to determine whether community gardening improves cancer-preventive behaviors among a multi-ethnic, low-income adult population and elucidate the pathways that shape cancer-preventive behaviors. A randomized controlled trial is needed to demonstrate that the observed behavioral differences are due to the effect of gardening as an intervention rather than self-selection by gardeners.

Official Title
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Community Activation for Prevention (CAPs): A Randomized Controlled Trial of Community Gardening

Conditions
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Cancer, Obesity, Lifestyle, Sedentary, Physical Activity, Health Behavior, Chronic Disease, Diet Modification

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Community Garden Intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Able to give informed consent in English or Spanish Aged 18 or over Currently on the wait list for a new garden Not have gardened in the past 2 gardening seasons Exclusion Criteria: Is not able to complete the study requirements in Spanish or English Aged 17 or younger Has gardened in the past 2 gardening seasons

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Community Garden Intervention Group<br>Participants randomized to the Community Garden Intervention Group will receive the garden intervention. Participants will be assigned a plot for one season and will receive a standard package of services and amenities to support participation in the community garden. | Behavioral: Community Garden Intervention<br>* The investigators will recruit prospective adult gardeners who have not been gardening for the past two years and who are listed on Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) wait lists. Individuals randomized to the garden intervention will receive a standardized garden resource package, which includes the following: A garden plot in a Denver Urban Garden Seeds and plant starts Introductory gardening workshop Social events including garden-specific events and garden mentoring. The Wait List Control group will remain on the community gardening wait lists and will not receive these resources. Duration of the intervention is 1 year.<br>|
| No Intervention: Wait List Control Group<br>Participants randomized to the Wait List Control Group will remain on community gardening waiting lists and will not receive the garden intervention. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in fruit and vegetable intake from baseline at 20 weeks and 52 weeks | 9 24-hour diet recalls will be collected randomly | Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls) | 
| Change in sedentary time from baseline at 20 weeks and 48 weeks | Accelerometers will be adhered to thigh and collect data for 7 days | 3 measurements over one year, T1 (week 1), T2 (week 20), T3 (week 52) | 
| Change in fiber Intake from baseline at 20 weeks and 52 weeks | 9 24-hour diet recalls will be collected randomly | Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls) | 
| Change in Healthy Eating Index (HEI) from baseline at 20 weeks and 52 weeks | 9 24-hour diet recalls will be collected randomly | Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls) | 
| Change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from baseline to 20 weeks | Accelerometers will be adhered to thigh and collect data for 7 days | 3 measurements over one year, T1 (week 1), T2 (week 20), T3 (week 52) | 
| Change in waist circumference from baseline to 20 weeks and 52 weeks | Measurement of waist circumference (cm) | 3 measurements over one year, T1 (week 1), T2 (week 20), T3 (week 52) | 
| Change in weight (kg) from baseline to 20 weeks and 52 weeks | Objective measurement of weight will be collected | 3 measurements over one year, T1 (week 1), T2 (week 20), T3 (week 52) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Perceived Stress from baseline to 20 weeks and 52 weeks | Validated scale of perceived stress will be completed | 3 measurements over one year, T1 (week 1), T2 (week 20), T3 (week 52) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Diet, Obesity, Randomized Controlled Trial, Community Gardening, Health Behavior Change, Physical Activity, Cancer Prevention, Neighborhood