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

University of Colorado Boulder (CU)

Status: Unknown

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

Treatments: Behavioral: Community Garden Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03089177

16-0644

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 296 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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296 participants in 2 patient groups

Community Garden Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Community Garden Intervention

Wait List Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants randomized to the Wait List Control Group will remain on community gardening waiting lists and will not receive the garden intervention.