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

Michigan State University, Colorado School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Colorado State University, Denver Urban Gardens

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.

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

Randomized Controlled Trial, Community Gardening, Health Behavior Change, Physical Activity, Diet, Obesity, Cancer Prevention, Neighborhood

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.

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

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.

Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls)

Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls)

Measurements will occur during weeks 1-2 (3 random recalls) and week 20 (3 random recalls) and week 48 (3 random recalls)

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

The investigators will store all Individual Participant Data in a HIPPA compliant database separate from the study database. All analysis will be conducted on an analytic data set, stripped of indirect and direct identifiers.

Villalobos A, Alaimo K, Erickson C, Harrall KK, Glueck DH, Buchenau H, Buchenau M, Coringrato E, Decker E, Fahnestock L, Hamman RF, Hebert JR, Hurley TG, Leiferman JA, Li K, Quist P, Litt JS. CAPS on the move: Crafting an approach to recruitment for a randomized controlled trial of community gardening. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2019 Nov 8;16:100482. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100482. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Litt JS, Alaimo K, Buchenau M, Villalobos A, Glueck DH, Crume T, Fahnestock L, Hamman RF, Hebert JR, Hurley TG, Leiferman J, Li K. Rationale and design for the community activation for prevention study (CAPs): A randomized controlled trial of community gardening. Contemp Clin Trials. 2018 May;68:72-78. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.03.005. Epub 2018 Mar 18.