title: Feasibility of an experiential community garden and nutrition programme for youth living in public housing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few published community garden studies have focused on low socio-economic youth living in public housing or used a community-based participatory research approach in conjunction with youth-focused community garden programmes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility (i.e. demand, acceptability, implementation and limited-effectiveness testing) of a 10-week experiential theory-based gardening and nutrition education programme targeting youth living in public housing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this mixed-methods feasibility study, demand and acceptability were measured using a combination of pre- and post-programme surveys and interviews. Implementation was measured via field notes and attendance. Limited-effectiveness was measured quantitatively using a pre-post design and repeated-measures ANOVA tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two public housing sites in the Dan River Region of south central Virginia, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three youth (primarily African American), twenty-five parents and two site leaders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive demand and acceptability findings indicate the high potential of the programme to be used and be suitable for the youth, parents and site leaders. Field notes revealed numerous implementation facilitators and barriers. Youth weekly attendance averaged 4·6 of 10 sessions. Significant improvements (P<0·05) were found for some (e.g. fruit and vegetable asking self-efficacy, overall gardening knowledge, knowledge of MyPlate recommendations), but not all limited-effectiveness measures (e.g. willingness to try fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable eating self-efficacy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This community-based participatory research study demonstrates numerous factors that supported and threatened the feasibility of a gardening and nutrition programme targeting youth in public housing. Lessons learned are being used to adapt and strengthen the programme for future efforts targeting fruit and vegetable behaviours.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Human Nutrition,Foods, and Exercise,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,Virginia Tech,Integrated Life Sciences Building 23,Room 1034 (0913),1981 Kraft Drive,Blacksburg,VA 24061,USA.
authors.forename: Karissa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grier
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Human Nutrition,Foods, and Exercise,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,Virginia Tech,Integrated Life Sciences Building 23,Room 1034 (0913),1981 Kraft Drive,Blacksburg,VA 24061,USA.
authors.forename: Jennie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Human Nutrition,Foods, and Exercise,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,Virginia Tech,Integrated Life Sciences Building 23,Room 1034 (0913),1981 Kraft Drive,Blacksburg,VA 24061,USA.
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.affiliation: 2Danville Redevelopment & Housing Authority,Danville,VA,USA.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Covington
authors.affiliation: 2Danville Redevelopment & Housing Authority,Danville,VA,USA.
authors.forename: Franchennette
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bennette
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Agricultural,Leadership, and Community Education,Virginia Tech,Blacksburg,VA,USA.
authors.forename: Lorien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: MacAuley
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Human Nutrition,Foods, and Exercise,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,Virginia Tech,Integrated Life Sciences Building 23,Room 1034 (0913),1981 Kraft Drive,Blacksburg,VA 24061,USA.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zoellner
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D002648:Child; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D005638:Fruit; D051639:Gardening; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011638:Public Housing; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014675:Vegetables; D014768:Virginia
keywords: Community-based participatory research; Feasibility studies; Gardening; Health status disparities