Summer Harvest Adventure: A Garden-based Obesity Prevention Program for Children Residing in Low-resource Communities (SHA)

Summer Harvest Adventure: A Garden-based Obesity Prevention Program for Children Residing in Low-resource Communities

Summer Harvest Adventure: A Garden-based Obesity Prevention Program for Children Residing in Low-resource Communities

The objective of this study is to implement and test the efficacy of the "Summer Harvest Adventure," a comprehensive garden-based behavioral, social, and environmental intervention for children (ages 8-11 years) residing in low-resource communities.

The investigators will conduct a 2-arm randomized controlled trial designed to determine the efficacy of a multifaceted obesity prevention and lifestyle intervention in low-resource children and parent/adult caregiver (PAC) called "Summer Harvest Adventure." A total of 240 children (ages 8-11 years) will be randomized to the garden-based intervention (SHA) or an enhanced control group (MSP). Summer Harvest Adventure includes: 1) remote and group coaching using a focused motivational interviewing approach; 2) weekly fruit, vegetable, and herb harvesting to increase summer food access; and 3) group education for children and their families in a social setting. Assessments for both groups will be collected at orientation held one week prior to the intervention (week 0), and immediately following the completion of the intervention (week 10) by trained personnel that are blinded to participants' treatment arm assignment.

Clinical assessments for both groups (intervention and control) will be conducted by trained personnel that are blinded to participants' treatment arm assignment.

Change in fruit and vegetable intake as assessed by dermal skin carotenoid scores using Ramon Spectroscopy (Pharmanex NuSkin Biophotonic Scanner model S3)

Change in blood pressure will be measured using non-invasive brachial blood pressure assessment using oscillometric technology (automated devices) to obtain BP readings

Change in standing height will be measured to the nearest 1 mm using a standardized fixed stadiometer with a vertical backboard and moveable headboard

BMI will be calculated using weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m). BMI-for-age percentile growth charts will be used to measure the size and growth patterns of children in the study

Inclusion Criteria: Children 8-11 years of age (as of June 1) from assenting and consenting families English-speaking families that agree to participate; 3) residents of SNAP-eligible communities in Franklin County, Ohio. Exclusion Criteria: Inability to functionally participate in harvesting; accommodations can be implemented in the future for children with special needs Communication difficulties (e.g. severe developmental delay) Lack of transportation to weekly classes or harvesting activities Non-English speakers; because coaching and classroom-based education are all conducted in English, we will of necessity restrict to English-speakers only during this phase