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Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening: Improved Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Social Integration

Author

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  • Masashi Soga

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Daniel T. C. Cox

    (Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK)

  • Yuichi Yamaura

    (Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba 305-8687, Japan)

  • Kevin J. Gaston

    (Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK)

  • Kiyo Kurisu

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Keisuke Hanaki

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

Abstract

With an ever-increasing urban population, promoting public health and well-being in towns and cities is a major challenge. Previous research has suggested that participating in allotment gardening delivers a wide range of health benefits. However, evidence from quantitative analyses is still scarce. Here, we quantify the effects, if any, of participating in allotment gardening on physical, psychological and social health. A questionnaire survey of 332 people was performed in Tokyo, Japan. We compared five self-reported health outcomes between allotment gardeners and non-gardener controls: perceived general health, subjective health complaints, body mass index (BMI), mental health and social cohesion. Accounting for socio-demographic and lifestyle variables, regression models revealed that allotment gardeners, compared to non-gardeners, reported better perceived general health, subjective health complaints, mental health and social cohesion. BMI did not differ between gardeners and non-gardeners. Neither frequency nor duration of gardening significantly influenced reported health outcomes. Our results highlight that regular gardening on allotment sites is associated with improved physical, psychological and social health. With the recent escalation in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and associated healthcare costs, this study has a major implication for policy, as it suggests that urban allotments have great potential for preventative healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Masashi Soga & Daniel T. C. Cox & Yuichi Yamaura & Kevin J. Gaston & Kiyo Kurisu & Keisuke Hanaki, 2017. "Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening: Improved Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Social Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:1:p:71-:d:87652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mari Johnsrud & Ursula Småland Goth & Hilde Skjerve, 2024. "The Impact of Urban Allotment Gardens on Physical and Mental Health in Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-8, May.
    2. Kristen Jakstis & Leonie K. Fischer, 2021. "Urban Nature and Public Health: How Nature Exposure and Sociocultural Background Relate to Depression Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
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    4. Anita Kwartnik-Pruc & Gabriela Droj, 2023. "The Role of Allotments and Community Gardens and the Challenges Facing Their Development in Urban Environments—A Literature Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-26, January.
    5. Bixia Chen & Kazuna Miyagi & Tomoyuki Namihira & Daiki Kayano & Mika Aragaki & Shiori Suzuki, 2024. "What Motivates Urban Dwellers to Engage in Urban Farming?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Shingo Yoshida & Hironori Yagi, 2023. "Effects of Sustainability Practices on Farm Continuity in Urban Agriculture: From the Creating Shared Value Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-20, October.
    7. Sukanya Sereenonchai & Noppol Arunrat, 2022. "Urban Agriculture in Thailand: Adoption Factors and Communication Guidelines to Promote Long-Term Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    8. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    9. Walter Dachaga & Walter Timo de Vries, 2022. "Integrating Urban Land Tenure Security in Health Determinants: The Design of Indicators for Measuring Land Tenure Security and Health Relationships in Developing Country Contexts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-28, March.
    10. Daisuke Machida & Osamu Kushida, 2020. "The Influence of Food Production Experience on Dietary Knowledge, Awareness, Behaviors, and Health among Japanese: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Daisuke Machida, 2019. "Relationship between Community or Home Gardening and Health of the Elderly: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-15, April.
    12. Constantina-Alina Hossu & Jürgen Breuste & Ioan-Cristian Iojă & Diana Andreea Onose & Alexandra Vrînceanu & Lidia Ponizy & Iwona Zwierzchowska & Roksana Kryger & Andrzej Mizgajski, 2024. "The Use of Green Infrastructure in the Suburbs: Insights from Three European Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, November.
    13. Alyssa W. Beavers & Ashley Atkinson & Lauren M. Varvatos & Mary Connolly & Katherine Alaimo, 2022. "How Gardening in Detroit Influences Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    14. Giuseppina Spano & Marina D’Este & Vincenzo Giannico & Giuseppe Carrus & Mario Elia & Raffaele Lafortezza & Angelo Panno & Giovanni Sanesi, 2020. "Are Community Gardening and Horticultural Interventions Beneficial for Psychosocial Well-Being? A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    15. Huaiyun Kou & Sichu Zhang & Yuelai Liu, 2019. "Community-Engaged Research for the Promotion of Healthy Urban Environments: A Case Study of Community Garden Initiative in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-24, October.
    16. Anna Gregis & Chiara Ghisalberti & Savino Sciascia & Francesco Sottile & Cristiana Peano, 2021. "Community Garden Initiatives Addressing Health and Well-Being Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Infodemiology Aspects, Outcomes, and Target Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    17. Huaiyun Kou & Sichu Zhang & Wenjia Li & Yuelai Liu, 2021. "Participatory Action Research on the Impact of Community Gardening in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigating the Seeding Plan in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.
    18. Dina Izenstark & Barbara Ann Boone, 2025. "‘Making a Positive Environmental Impact’: Exploring the Role of Volunteering at a Campus Community Garden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-21, May.

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