First Name:
Sarah
Last Name:
Duncan
Major Department:
Nutrition & Foods: Dietetics
Thesis Director:
Amy Galloway
Date of Thesis:
May 2012
With 17% of our children considered obese, one might wonder about the programs and policies being put into place to reverse this epidemic. Many school systems have begun to implement school gardens, offering students the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest, prepare, and eat their own food, all while learning about the health and nutritional benefits of such consumption. Implementation of such school garden programs is growing in popularity, but the number of schools and research conducted on successful gardens is still lacking An assessment of current literature researching the effectiveness of successful school garden programs throughout grade school was conducted. The common purpose, effects, prevalence, necessities for, barriers to, and models and curricula of established programs were uncovered. Results show that overall, school gardens increase the knowledge, attitudes, positive behaviors, and consumption rates of children towards fruits and vegetables. Necessary criteria for successful school garden programs include teacher training, suitable funding and materials, pre-determined curricula, aesthetic opportunities, ample time, incorporation of garden food into the school meal program, and an a large network of adult participants. Barriers include a lack of teacher interest, funds, and summer help, as well as the influence of students’ home life. Model curricula and future research needs for the promotion and sustainability of school gardens is discussed.